Ireland’s Dramatic Comeback Earns Vital Point in World Cup Qualifier Against Hungary

Last-Minute Drama at the Aviva

In a pulsating FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, the Republic of Ireland showcased remarkable resilience by fighting back from a two-goal deficit to secure a 2-2 draw against Hungary, with Adam Idah’s stoppage-time header proving decisive after Hungary was reduced to ten men following Roland Sallai’s dismissal.

Match Developments

The first half saw Hungary dominate proceedings, taking a 2-0 lead into the break, despite Ireland showing signs of getting back into the match. The game’s intensity was evident early on, with Irish forward Evan Ferguson receiving a caution for a foul in the opponent’s half.

Hungary’s performance was notably influenced by their captain Dominik Szoboszlai, who demonstrated his versatility by controlling the game’s pace, creating opportunities, and threatening the goal, proving himself a crucial figure in Marco Rossi’s tactical setup.

Historical Context

The match held particular significance as it marked the first official competitive encounter between these nations, who had previously met only three times in friendly matches, with Ireland holding a slight edge with one victory and two draws.

Qualification Implications

For Ireland, this result carries extra weight in their quest to end a long World Cup qualification drought, having not qualified since 2002. Hungary, whose last World Cup appearance dates back to 1986, showed their recent progress by qualifying for Euro 2024, where they finished third in their group behind Germany and Switzerland.

Looking Ahead

The Irish team enters this qualification campaign with renewed optimism, bolstered by their recent promotion to League A of the Nations League following a playoff victory over Bulgaria. The result has injected fresh hope among supporters that the team might finally end their two-decade World Cup absence.