BUDAPEST. Troy Parrott’s 96th-minute goal to complete a hat-trick secured Ireland a place in next year’s World Cup play-off after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Group F arch-rivals Hungary in a must-win game in Budapest.
Higher placed Hungary only needed a draw and after the first half to maintain second place led 2:1 thanks to Daniel Lukács and Barnabás Varga. But Parrott’s second goal of the evening in the 80th minute and the winner at the very end ended the hopes of the downtrodden home team.
Parrott described his two-goal performance in Thursday’s shock 2-0 win over Portugal, which set up a dramatic final, as the best night of his life — and held back tears as he was moved by the performance.
It’s like in a fairy tale
“This is why we love football – because things like this can happen. I love where I come from, so this means the world to me,” the AZ Alkmaar striker told public broadcaster RTE shortly after hugging his family in the stands.
“This is the first time I’ve cried in years… It’s a fairy tale, you can’t even dream of such a thing.”
Hungary, hoping for their first World Cup appearance in 40 years, got off to a perfect start when Lukács headed Dominik Szoboszlai’s short corner into the net in the 4th minute, but Parrott equalized from the penalty spot 11 minutes later.
Caoimhin Kelleher kept things level with a superb close-range save against Roland Sallai, but in the 37th minute he had no chance when Varga handled the ball on his chest with his back to the goal just outside the box, turned and sent a fantastic left-footed volley into the top corner.
Infarct conclusion
The Irish appeared to be running out of steam until Parrott leveled again with ten minutes remaining and then slotted the ball into the net for his fifth goal in two games, a finish reminiscent of Robbie Keane’s famous equalizer against Germany at the last World Cup Ireland competed in — 2002.
VIDEO: The winning goal Troy Parrotta
Teammates and substitutes began a euphoric celebration as Ireland qualified for the March play-off at the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Portugal finished top of Group F with 13 points after a 9-1 victory over bottom side Armenia, three points ahead of Ireland.
Qualification group F
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