Troy Parrott was the hero once again for Ireland as the AZ Alkmaar Striker’s hat-trick secured a spot for Ireland in the World Cup playoffs with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Hungary on Sunday November 16.
Both countries came into the game trying to secure a second place and qualify for the playoffs with Hungary on 8 points and Ireland 7 points. Daniel Lukacs opening the scoring for Hungary in the 3rd minute, but Parrott equalized with a penalty in the 15th minute. Barnabas Varga then put Hungary ahead 2-1 before halftime, but Parrott scored twice in the final minutes – first, a looping chip over the goalkeeper in the 80th minute, and then a decisive goal in the 96th minute
Parrott’s heroics capped an unforgettable week for the striker, who had scored twice against Portugal in Ireland’s 2-0 win just four days earlier.
He expressed his emotions after the match, saying, “This is why we love football because things like this can happen… I love where I’m from, my family are here, this means the world to me.”
This victory marks a significant moment for Ireland, which hasn’t qualified for the World Cup since 2002.
The win means Ireland finishes second in Group F, with 10 points, 3 behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, who thrashed Armenia 9-1, and will now compete in the playoffs for a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Ireland will play a one-off semifinal match in March 2026 If they win the semifinal, they’ll play in the final, with the winner earning a spot in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
