Hungary 2-3 Republic of Ireland: Report, result, goals as 96th-minute Parrott goal sends visitors to 2026 World Cup qualifying play-offs
Read a report from Hungary vs Ireland
Troy Parrott completed a hat-trick in the 96th minute to give the Republic of Ireland victory in Hungary as Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side pipped their opponents to a 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off place.
Having beaten Portugal 2-0 at home on Thursday to keep their ambitions intact, Ireland needed to win in Budapest to reach a two-legged play-off in March for a spot in the finals.
Daniel Lukacs headed Hungary in front in the third minute, but the visitors drew level through Parrott’s 15th-minute penalty before Barnabas Varga’s spectacular long-range effort restored his side’s lead eight minutes before half-time.
Adam Idah had a deft lob ruled out for offside as Ireland pushed for a second-half equaliser, succeeding when Parrott coolly brought down Finn Azaz’s chip inside the box and lifted the ball beyond the advanced Denes Dibusz.
With Hungary seconds from advancing at Ireland’s expense, Parrott pounced to prod in from close range and ignite Ireland’s hopes of a first appearance at the tournament since 2002.
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Hungary vs Ireland: Parrott books play-offs
Ireland faced a daunting task after Puskas Akademia forward Lukacs glanced in captain Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross before a Video Assistant Referee check confirmed the opener.
That put the hosts four points above their opponents in second, but Marco Rossi’s team gifted Ireland a way back into the game when Attila Szalai clipped Chiedozie Ogbene as the winger, who hit a post against Portugal and suffered a hamstring injury during the second half of this finale, tried to reach Dara O’Shea’s long ball inside the box.
Parrott scored both of Ireland’s goals before the break against the Selecao and the AZ Alkmaar forward found the net again with a fierce low penalty, beating Dibusz despite the goalkeeper going in the correct direction.
Hear from Troy Parrott after his stunning hat-trick secured a famous win in Budapest. pic.twitter.com/0QyFHXTU4m
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 16, 2025
Lukacs almost played a direct role in a second goal for Hungary before the break, crossing for Roland Sallai to send in a shot from close quarters that was brilliantly turned away by Caoimhin Kelleher.
If Kelleher’s save indicated a special finish would be required to beat the Brentford goalkeeper, Varga obliged when the Ferencvaros striker controlled the ball on his chest just outside the box and swivelled to soar a sublime strike into the top corner of the net.
Once Parrott had levelled again, Dibusz’s save from a close-range Johnny Kenny shot looked to have spared Hungary despair during second-half added time.
The Ferencvaros veteran was beaten once more by Parrott, though, in an incredible end to the group campaign for Ireland, who finish second behind Portugal.
Hungary team vs Ireland
Liverpool midfielder Szoboszlai captained a Hungary side featuring fellow Reds player Milos Kerkez in defence.
Marco Rossi rang two changes, bringing in midfielder Alex Toth and winger Daniel Lukacs for Callum Styles and Bendeguz Bolla.
Hungary starting XI: Denes Dibusz, Loic Nego, Willi Orban, Attila Szalai, Milos Kerkez, Daniel Lukacs, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alex Toth, Andras Schafer, Roland Sallai, Barnabas Varga
Hungary substitutes: Attila Mocsi, Botond Balogh, Bence Otvos, Milan Vitalis, Zsombor Gruber, Patrik Demjen, Bendeguz Bolla, Marton Dardai, Callum Styles, Zsolt Nagy, Peter Szappanos, Damir Redzic
Ireland team vs Hungary
Midfielder Jayson Molumby returned from suspension in Ireland’s solitary change, replacing Jack Taylor, whose corner led to their first goal in their 2-0 win at home to Portugal three days earlier.
Southampton’s Ryan Manning was back after a ban and on the bench. Andrew Moran and Kevin O’Toole dropped out of the squad.
Ireland starting XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Jake O’Brien, Nathan Collins, Dara O’Shea, Seamus Coleman, Josh Cullen, Jayson Molumby, Liam Scales, Chiedozie Ogbene, Troy Parrott, Finn Azaz
Ireland substitutes: Johnny Kenny, Adam Idah, Jimmy Dunne Conor Coventry, Jack Taylor, John Egan, Gavin Bazunu, Ryan Manning, Jamie McGrath, Mikey Johnston, Festy Ebosele, Mark Travers
2026 World Cup playoffs dates
The top team from each of the 12 European Qualifier groups proceeds automatically to the finals, which will be expanded to 48 teams.
The 12 runners-up in each group will join four Nations League teams in the two-legged play-off ties, which will be drawn from pots based on teams’ records during the campaign and take place on March 26 and 31 2026.
When is the draw for the 2026 World Cup finals?
The draw for the World Cup finals will take place on December 5 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, with the ceremony starting at 17:00 GMT (12:00 ET/ 09:00 PT).
The tournament runs from June 11 until July 19 2026.