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16th November 2025
04:07pm GMT
Oh my word. What just happened?
Here, SportsJOE rate all XI Ireland starters plus the subs from their 3-2 win in Hungary, which sends them to the World Cup qualifying play-offs next spring.
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Could do nothing about either goal, was otherwise solid with his distribution and did well to keep Hungary out on several occasions late on.
Should have been much tighter to Varga for Hungary's second, which has been a feature of his World Cup qualifying campaign. Always an outlet from set pieces, but still want to see more from him in an Ireland shirt in the play-offs.
A different option at left back, sometimes skilful and quick-thinking in tight spaces, but at other times sloppy. Moved into central-defensive three when Manning came on. Criticised by RTE panel for his role in the opener, but perhaps a tad harsh, and his superb header late on set up Parrott's winner.
Gave away several silly fouls in the opposition box from set pieces, and lost his man for Hungary's opening goal. An up-and-down Qualifying campaign for the Ipswich man, like most of Ireland's defence, but will have the chance to prove himself in the play-offs.
Wasn't too much of a surprise to see him come off at half-time after an under-par opening 45. He lost Lukacs for the big chance that was saved by Kelleher, and missed a good chance at the far post at the other end on the brink of half-time. Manning replacing him for more pace down the left to shift Scales inwards made sense.
Showed experience throughout to win fouls and slow down play, but was one of several players who allowed Hungary to come forward too easily down the left for the second goal. Quite the feat at his age and lack of club playing time to play two games in quick succession, so was brought off on the hour.
One complaint of Cullen is his lack of desire to break the lines in an Ireland shirt, instead options for the safe pass sideways or backwards. On the one occasion he did play a ball over the top, it was nearly perfect for Idah, but he had strayed offside.
His stray leg kept Lukács onside for opener, but difficult to blame him for that. Was otherwise slightly anonymous as Ireland bypassed midfield regularly. Subbed off on the hour.
Always feels like one step forward, one step back for Azaz, and this performance looked no different before his fantastic assist for Parrott's second. Miscontrolled and stuttered on the ball on too many occasions, but showed that glimpse of what we know he can do with balls through the lines. This is why Heimir put so much faith in him.
Was a constant nuisance in what was a difficult brief. He won the penalty, was a good outlet for the long ball, forced a Hungary yellow card in the first half, but was then forced off with a hamstring injury early in the second. Devastating for the Sheff Utd man.
Build the statue. His spaghetti-Western dual with the goalkeeper for his penalty worked out well, and showed great nerve after a unforgettable week. Ireland struggled to get him into the game for the majority, but his finish for the second was absolutely superb.
And his gambling for the hat-trick will go down in Irish sporting history. What a man.
Ryan Manning (on 46) - 6
Did well to win foul late on left for chance to pile the box, and then caused danger with the delivery we know he has.
Adam Idah (on 53) - 5
Brilliant finish but was offside when he didn't need to be, then miscontrolled in a good position and gave away a foul to give Hungary a break when Ireland were piling pressure on.
Johnny Kenny (on 60) - 6
HUGE late chance and couldn't have done much more, but for an astounding save from the Hungary goalkeeper.
Festy Ebosele (on 60) - 5
Miscontrolled in the box in the dying moments, and then compounded that with a foul and yellow card as Hungary looked to slow down game.
Jack Taylor (on 80) - NA
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