Hungary met a shocking defeat and were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup this weekend, seen out by an Irish winner deep into stoppage time (provided in part with a ball from former Red Caoimhín Kelleher).
Captain Dominik Szoboszlai and his Liverpool teammate Miloš Kerkez had both provided assists in a match that looked to be heading towards a 2-2 final whistle, with both Ireland and Hungary needing a win.
Szoboszlai played a ball in for Dániel Lukács to score a headed goal in the opening minutes at
the Puskás Aréna before Troy Parrott made it 1-1 from the penalty spot. Kerkez then played the ball in for an impressive volley from Barnabas Varga, which made it 2-1 at halftime.
The match seemed to be heading for a rather boring Hungary win before Parrott made it 2-2 with 10 minutes left in regular time, leading to some sustained Irish pressure. Kerkez and Szoboszlai were left in tears as Parrott made it 3-2 for Ireland in the sixth minute of stoppage time, and Hungary still seeks to return to World Cup play for the first time since 1986. For their part, Ireland progress through to the play-offs, and seek to make their first World Cup appearance since 2002.
Elsewhere, Ibrahima Konaté captained a French side that also featured Hugo Ekitiké, though the pair won a meaningless match as France had already qualified.
