A win will guarantee Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side a place in the playoffs at a minimum.
Hungary, meanwhile, need just a draw to achieve that feat.
It’s also worth remembering that the Portugal game is not insignificant.
They will be strong favourites at home against Armenia, given they won the reverse fixture 5-0 and the Armenians are guaranteed to finish bottom of the group regardless of that outcome.
But in the unlikely event of Portugal losing, Hungary could take the automatic qualifying spot by beating Ireland.
The Boys in Green can also technically still qualify, but that scenario is even more unlikely, as it would require both a Portugal loss and a significant swing in goal difference.
Both games kick off at 2pm Irish time.
16 Nov 2025
1:10PM
Confirmation of the Irish team below.
It sees only one change from the Portugal match — Jayson Molumby, who is available again after a suspension, replaces Jack Taylor.
STARTING XI | Hungary v Ireland
Jayson Molumby comes in for Jack Taylor in our only change from the 2-0 win over Portugal 🔁
KO in 90 minutes, 2pm (3pm local), be loud and proud in the stadium, we need you today 💚🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/6yYYxm9hsQ
Ireland's Nathan Collins and Liam Scales ahead of the game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
16 Nov 2025
1:23PM
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
Ireland (349)
Hungary (73)
Draw (59)
16 Nov 2025
1:29PM
It’s worth noting that the two US-based players, Kevin O’Toole and Andrew Moran, are not in the matchday squad today.
MATCH-DAY SQUAD | Hungary v Ireland
Jayson Molumby and Ryan Manning come back into the match-day squad as Kevin O'Toole and Andrew Moran drop out for today's qualifier against Hungary at the Puskas Arena 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/gD1GAeUt3V
Ireland fans Adam Bollard and Derrick Byrne ahead of the game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
16 Nov 2025
1:41PM
Josh Cullen speaks to RTÉ ahead of the game…
Ireland's Josh Cullen says the dressing room is 'excited' and Hungary's Callum Styles is hoping to claim bragging rights over his West Brom team-mates.
Ireland's Chiedozie Ogbene and Nathan Collins appeal for offside after Hungary’s Dániel Lukács scores a goal. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
16 Nov 2025
2:27PM
24 mins: O’Brien takes a heavy touch before impeding Varga.
However, Szoboszlai’s subsequent free kick is easily cleared.
16 Nov 2025
2:29PM
25 mins: Hungary have had 57% possession.
At the moment, the visitors are happy to sit back and put the onus on their opponents to break them down.
16 Nov 2025
2:32PM
28 mins: Great save from Kelleher.
A dangerous low ball by Lukács deflects favourably for Sallai.
It’s a first-time shot from close range, but the Brentford star is alert to make a good reaction stop.
Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher fails to save a shot by Hungary's Barnabas Varga. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
16 Nov 2025
3:21PM
56 mins: Schäfer plays it through for Lukács.
The attacker tries to get away from Collins, but takes a heavy touch, and it goes out of play.
16 Nov 2025
3:23PM
Ireland have the ball in the net, but it’s offside.
It was still a nice finish — Parrott slipped it through for Idah, who chipped the goalkeeper but was marginally ahead of the last defender as he did so.
16 Nov 2025
3:25PM
Ireland make a double change.
Molumby and Coleman go off.
Debutant Kenny and Ebosele come on.
16 Nov 2025
3:27PM
62 mins: It’s a very attacking line-up for Ireland now.
Azaz is playing midfield alongside Cullen.
16 Nov 2025
3:29PM
64 mins: Hungary make a double change now
Lukács and Schäfer go off.
Styles and Ötvös come on.
16 Nov 2025
3:30PM
Here’s a look at that unfortunate moment for Ogbene…
🇭🇺 2-1 🇮🇪 Ireland forced to make a change as Ogbene pulls up holding his hamstring whilst chasing a crossed ball. Idah takes his place.
There were real shades of Robbie Keane’s 2002 last-minute equaliser against Germany.
Troy Parrott has rescued Ireland.
What a week it’s been for him, with five goals in two games.
The Hungarians look devastated.
Heimir Hallgrímsson made some big calls, putting Finn Azaz in midfield and playing with three strikers.
But it worked ultimately, and the manager surely will get his contract extension now.
Ireland still have to go through the play-offs, of course, which is another big challenge.
But they looked dead and buried before this window began, so without playing especially well this evening, the Irish team have dug it out with a resilient performance.
16 Nov 2025
4:12PM
Here’s a look at the Irish goal that will be remembered for many years to come…
90+5mins: 🇭🇺 2-3 🇮🇪
Ireland holds its breath, on the last throw of the dice... Hattrick for Parrott 😮😮😮😮😮😮😮
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As it happened: Hungary v Ireland, World Cup qualifier
Hungary 2-3 Ireland
Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
It’s a big day for Irish football.
A win will guarantee Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side a place in the playoffs at a minimum.
Hungary, meanwhile, need just a draw to achieve that feat.
It’s also worth remembering that the Portugal game is not insignificant.
They will be strong favourites at home against Armenia, given they won the reverse fixture 5-0 and the Armenians are guaranteed to finish bottom of the group regardless of that outcome.
But in the unlikely event of Portugal losing, Hungary could take the automatic qualifying spot by beating Ireland.
The Boys in Green can also technically still qualify, but that scenario is even more unlikely, as it would require both a Portugal loss and a significant swing in goal difference.
Both games kick off at 2pm Irish time.
Confirmation of the Irish team below.
It sees only one change from the Portugal match — Jayson Molumby, who is available again after a suspension, replaces Jack Taylor.
Confirmation of the Hungary starting XI below…
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
It’s worth noting that the two US-based players, Kevin O’Toole and Andrew Moran, are not in the matchday squad today.
Josh Cullen speaks to RTÉ ahead of the game…
The game is a few minutes late starting.
Some of the crowd were late getting into the stadium, so it may be to give them some leeway.
We’re underway…
1 min: Hungary win an early free kick.
O’Shea clips the heels of Sallai.
The subsequent delivery deflects off Coleman and goes out for a corner.
2 mins: Szoboszlai delivers a ball into the near post.
It deflects out for another corner, which Scales clears out for another corner.
Ireland are under the cosh in the early stages.
HUNGARY 1-0 IRELAND (LUKACS 3)
Lukács heads the ball in from Szoboszlai’s low cross after a corner is taken short.
He looked close to being offside, but the goal is confirmed after a VAR check.
Disastrous start for Ireland.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
10 mins: A Cullen corner causes Hungary problems.
Ogbene’s shot is blocked, and the hosts clear.
Moments later, there are Irish claims for a penalty.
Ogbene goes down under a challenge from Szalai.
It’s going to VAR.
The referee is going to the monitor.
It looked like a penalty from replays.
PENALTY TO IRELAND!
Troy Parrott will take the penalty…
IRELAND 1-1 HUNGARY (PARROTT 15)
It’s a good penalty from Parrott.
The goalkeeper Dibusz is left with no chance, as the Irish striker finds the corner of the net.
Here’s a look at the Parrott equaliser…
It’s been a dramatic start in the other game as well.
Spertsyan has just equalised for Armenia after Veiga gave Portugal an early lead.
24 mins: O’Brien takes a heavy touch before impeding Varga.
However, Szoboszlai’s subsequent free kick is easily cleared.
25 mins: Hungary have had 57% possession.
At the moment, the visitors are happy to sit back and put the onus on their opponents to break them down.
28 mins: Great save from Kelleher.
A dangerous low ball by Lukács deflects favourably for Sallai.
It’s a first-time shot from close range, but the Brentford star is alert to make a good reaction stop.
Neves and Ramos have scored in quick succession for Portugal.
They lead Armenia 3-1 and are virtually certain now to top the group and qualify automatically.
34 mins: There’s been a bit of a lull after a chaotic opening.
As I type, Kelleher slips while trying to claim a Szoboszlai cross, but gathers it at the second attempt.
36 mins: Ireland enjoy a decent spell of possession.
But O’Brien puts it out of play when trying to find Coleman.
HUNGARY 2-1 IRELAND (VARGA 37)
Hungary re-take the lead, and it’s a stunning goal.
Kerkez lofts a ball into Varga.
The striker is afforded too much space by the Irish defence.
He takes one touch before finding the top corner from distance.
Here’s a look at the earlier save from Kelleher.
42 mins: The play has stopped after a nasty collision involving O’Shea and Schäfer.
Ireland have got more players forward since going behind.
Here’s a look at Hungary’s second goal…
45 mins: Coleman wins a free kick near the corner flag.
That was preceded by good, patient build-up play by Ireland.
46 mins: Collins is penalised for pushing a Hungary player over from the free kick.
There will be five minutes of stoppage time.
47 mins: Szalai is penalised for cynically taking out Ogbene and stopping a counter-attack.
As I type, Azaz puts in an inviting delivery, but O’Brien can’t hit the target with his volley.
50 mins: O’Brien’s long throw is half cleared.
It falls to Azaz, whose effort goes well over the bar.
HALF-TIME: HUNGARY 2-1 IRELAND
It’s Portugal 5-1 Armenia in the other game at half-time.
So Roberto Martinez’s men are going through as group winners barring a minor miracle.
So half-time, Ireland have had worse 45 minutes in this campaign.
But they will be disappointed by the way they conceded.
The second goal, in particular, Varga was awarded too much space.
But Ireland recovered well from that setback and had a couple of chances.
You wouldn’t write off Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side yet, though, for them not to concede and score twice in the second half is a big ask.
Here’s a look at that O’Brien chance just before the break…
Ireland make a change at the break.
Manning replaces O’Brien. It means Scales will switch to centre-back.
Ebosele, Taylor and Idah were all warming up rigorously at the break.
The second half has begun…
47 mins: Szoboszlai’s delivery deflects off both the heads of O’Shea and Lukács before going out for a free kick.
Ireland need to attack more in this second half if they are to keep their World Cup dream alive.
49 mins: Cullen’s free kick is nodded on by Collins.
But Szoboszlai stops Parrott from getting a shot on goal.
52 mins: Parrott tries to play through Ogbene.
But the Sheffield United star pulls up holding his hamstring as he sprints towards the ball.
He won’t be able to continue, and Idah will come on in his place.
54 mins: Ireland are keeping the same shape for now.
Idah will play as the main striker, with Parrott moving into a deeper role, similar to where Ogbene was playing.
56 mins: Schäfer plays it through for Lukács.
The attacker tries to get away from Collins, but takes a heavy touch, and it goes out of play.
Ireland have the ball in the net, but it’s offside.
It was still a nice finish — Parrott slipped it through for Idah, who chipped the goalkeeper but was marginally ahead of the last defender as he did so.
Ireland make a double change.
Molumby and Coleman go off.
Debutant Kenny and Ebosele come on.
62 mins: It’s a very attacking line-up for Ireland now.
Azaz is playing midfield alongside Cullen.
64 mins: Hungary make a double change now
Lukács and Schäfer go off.
Styles and Ötvös come on.
Here’s a look at that unfortunate moment for Ogbene…
67 mins: Azaz puts in a cross for Idah.
But it’s slightly behind the Swansea star, and he can’t get his header on target.
68 mins: Scales gets booked for a late challenge on Varga.
Ireland need to keep cool heads here, with just over 20 minutes to rescue their World Cup qualifying campaign.
73 mins: Nervy moment for Hungary.
Idah squares it to Parrott, who miskicks.
The offside flag was up anyway.
74 mins: Ireland breathe a sigh of relief.
Styles plays it to Varga, but Scales makes a crucial block to stop him from getting a shot away.
Sallai runs through on goal and forces a good save from Kelleher after Collins goes down in the build-up.
Meanwhile, another Hungary change sees Tóth replaced by Bolla.
78 mins: Cullen gets booked for cynically dragging back Sallai as he attempts to get away from him.
As I type, Bolla charges down the right, but Kelleher is able to gather the low cross.
HUNGARY 2-2 IRELAND (PARROTT 80)
Out of nothing, Ireland equalise.
Azaz sends Parrott through on goal, and the striker dinks it over the goalkeeper for his second goal of the game.
Ireland then make another change, with Taylor replacing Molumby.
Here’s a look at Parrott’s second goal…
85 mins: The Hungarians are doing all they can to slow the game down.
They are looking nervous, though.
87 mins: Szoboszlai gets away from Scales, but Kelleher does well to parry the ball out for a corner.
The Liverpool star is again wasting plenty of time taking the corner.
88 mins: Manning wins a free kick in a promising position.
This is a chance for Ireland.
88 mins: Hungary deal with Manning’s set piece unconvincingly.
O’Shea puts in a dangerous low cross that’s cleared off the line.
Moments later, Ebosele gives the ball away and then concedes a free kick.
90 mins: So close for Kenny!
Dibusz makes a brilliant save to deny the Celtic star from close range.
92 mins: Ebosele wins a corner for Ireland.
Hungary are hanging on.
Five minutes of stoppage time have been confirmed.
94 mins: Another Hungary change.
Nego is replaced by Mocsi.
Ireland then fail to make the most of two long throws by Ebosele.
HUNGARY 2-3 IRELAND (PARROTT 96)
With seconds remaining, Kelleher plays a Hail Mary long ball.
Scales nods it on and Parrott is on hand for an opportunistic finish.
Incredible scenes!
FULL-TIME: IRELAND 3-2 HUNGARY
That was a remarkable finish.
There were real shades of Robbie Keane’s 2002 last-minute equaliser against Germany.
Troy Parrott has rescued Ireland.
What a week it’s been for him, with five goals in two games.
The Hungarians look devastated.
Heimir Hallgrímsson made some big calls, putting Finn Azaz in midfield and playing with three strikers.
But it worked ultimately, and the manager surely will get his contract extension now.
Ireland still have to go through the play-offs, of course, which is another big challenge.
But they looked dead and buried before this window began, so without playing especially well this evening, the Irish team have dug it out with a resilient performance.
Here’s a look at the Irish goal that will be remembered for many years to come…
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
You can read our match report here and we’ll have plenty more reaction to follow.
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