Troy Parrott leads Ireland to World Cup play-offs with stunning hat-trick
Troy Parrott delivered one of the most remarkable nights of his career as he fired a stunning hat-trick to send Ireland into the World Cup play-offs, sealing a dramatic 3–2 victory over Hungary in front of a hostile crowd at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, reports BritPanorama.
The 23-year-old, now playing for AZ Alkmaar, produced a performance that will be remembered in Irish football folklore. He dragged his country level twice before striking a dramatic stoppage-time winner that shattered Hungary’s World Cup dreams and confirmed Ireland’s second-place finish in Group F.
Portugal topped the group, leaving Ireland needing victory to reach the play-offs, and Parrott ensured they did so in the most dramatic fashion. Hungary stunned the visitors within four minutes when Daniel Lukacs pounced on defensive hesitation to smash the hosts in front, lifting the noise levels inside the stadium as Ireland endured a shaky opening.
An Irish equaliser soon followed from the penalty spot, restoring hope. However, the momentum swung again when Barnabas Varga fired home before the interval, pushing Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side back towards the brink of elimination. Ireland emerged for the second half with renewed purpose, pressing higher and forcing Hungary into mistakes as they desperately searched for a lifeline.
Parrott delivered it midway through the half with a composed finish that silenced the home support, sending fresh belief surging through the Irish ranks. With results elsewhere confirming that three points would guarantee a play-off place, Ireland poured forward and pinned Hungary deep inside their own half. The home side, also needing victory to stay alive in the race for next summer’s finals, looked increasingly fraught as the visitors tightened their grip.
Then, in stoppage time, the moment of destiny arrived. A scramble inside the box ended with Parrott stabbing the ball home from close range to complete his hat-trick, igniting wild celebrations among the travelling fans. Irish substitutes stormed the pitch, supporters roared from the upper tiers, and Hungary’s players collapsed in despair as their World Cup hopes evaporated.
Parrott was visibly emotional speaking to reporters afterwards, overwhelmed by the scale of the achievement. “This is why we love football because things like this can happen,” he told RTE. “I love where I am from, my family are here, this means the world to me. This is the first time I have cried in years, I really cannot believe it.”
Manager Hallgrimsson admitted his side had contributed to a chaotic evening but praised their resilience. “It was a strange game,” he said. “We seemed to be nervous at the beginning, struggling with movements and defending too late and not aggressive enough. We put in everything and threw in three strikers in the end. The guys deserved what happened and congratulations to the Irish nation for having the guys.”
Former captain Roy Keane hailed the result as a superb turnaround, particularly after Ireland’s poor start to the qualifying campaign. “They have recovered brilliantly,” Keane told ITV. “To win today, on the back of the Portugal result, is fantastic. It is a great boost for the country. The manager was heavily criticised. Parrott got a hat-trick; there was always a lot of talk about him but he has stepped up. Great achievement. Fingers crossed now, of course, for the play-offs.”
The echoes of triumph and despair reverberate through the sport, a reminder of how fleeting victory can be, but also how deeply meaningful it is when the chips are down.
