Troy Parrott dramatically completed his hat-trick by scoring the winning goal in the last minute to secure a World Cup qualification play-off spot for the Republic of Ireland following a thrilling 3-2 win over Hungary.
Parrott had already scored a double, but with the scoreline 2-2 going into the 96th minute, the AZ Alkmaar striker scored his third goal, keeping his hopes of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup alive.
Ireland finished second in Group F, defeating leaders Portugal on Thursday and securing a play-off spot thanks to Parrott’s heroics.
Ireland’s Troy Parrott celebrates after scoring against Hungary
“This is why we love football. Things like this can happen,” Parrott told RTE Sport after the match. “I’m really emotional right now. What a night.
“I said to Portugal that this is what dreams are made of, but tonight I don’t think I’ll ever have a better night in my life.
“It’s a fairy tale. I would never dream of something like that. There are no words to describe how I feel right now.”
At the Puskas Arena, Daniil Lukács gave the hosts the lead in the third minute, Parrott’s calmly converted penalty brought the visitors back into the game, before Barnabas Varga put Hungary ahead again before half-time.
But Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side steadfastly refused to lose on a night when just a win would have been enough, making the most of a sharp pass from Finn Azaz to level the scoreline again, before Parrott ran in to knock down Liam Scales to snatch a dying victory.
The play-offs will be held in March next year and will include the 12 second-place teams in their group, as well as the top four teams that did not finish first or second in the European qualifying group stage of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League.
