Troy Parrott Stars as Ireland Shock Portugal
Dublin, Ireland – In a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying clash on Thursday, Ireland stunned Portugal 2-0 at the Aviva Stadium, keeping their faint hopes of reaching next year’s tournament alive. Star striker Troy Parrott scored both goals in the first half, while Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was shown his first-ever red card for the national team in his 226th appearance.
Ireland, who last qualified for a major tournament in 2012 and last reached the World Cup in 2002, needed at least a draw to stay in contention. Parrott’s double gave them a vital lead, while a disciplined Irish defense ensured they held off the Portuguese attack.
“It is probably the best night of my life,” Parrott told RTE. “It is such a relief and overwhelming feeling to see the hard work paying off.”
First Half Brilliance
The scoring opened in the 17th minute when Liam Scales delivered a perfectly angled corner, which Parrott converted into the net, giving Ireland a 1-0 advantage. Ireland continued to press, with Chiedozie Ogbene hitting the post, before Parrott doubled the lead just before halftime with a brilliant finish into the bottom corner.
Ireland’s coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, praised the home fans, suggesting that the passionate support may have contributed to Ronaldo’s frustration leading to his red card:
“[Ronaldo] lost his focus a little bit. Maybe it was the fans as well that helped a little bit. He was frustrated and reacted in a way that he knows he shouldn’t.”
Ronaldo’s Red Card
The incident occurred around the hour mark when Ronaldo’s initial yellow card for an elbow on Ireland defender Dara O’Shea was upgraded to a red card after video review. The sending off marked a historic moment, as it was Ronaldo’s first red card for Portugal. Sarcastically applauding the fans, he departed the pitch to a mix of cheers and boos from the Dublin crowd.
Despite the setback, Portugal remain assured at least a playoff spot, sitting two points ahead of Hungary at the top of Group F, thanks to superior goal difference. Ireland, meanwhile, must secure a win against Hungary in Budapest to claim a place in the March 2026 playoffs.
Other Key Qualifying Matches
Thursday also saw other important results in World Cup qualifying across Europe:
- France secured qualification with a dominant 4-0 win over Ukraine, powered by two goals from Kylian Mbappe, along with strikes from Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitike.
- Italy edged Moldova 2-0 with late goals from Gianluca Mancini and Francesco Pio Esposito, keeping slim hopes of automatic qualification alive against Norway in the final matchday.
- England maintained a perfect record, beating Serbia 2-0 with goals from Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, sealing seven wins from seven games in Group I.
- Albania secured a playoff place after a 1-0 victory over Andorra, confirming their position as runners-up in their group.
Ireland’s Path Forward
Ireland’s stunning victory over Portugal represents a major boost to their World Cup qualifying campaign, reigniting hopes for a return to the tournament stage. With momentum and fan support on their side, the Irish team faces an intense final qualifier in Budapest, where a win could secure their spot in next March’s playoffs and bring the dream of World Cup 2026 qualification closer to reality.
“We all knew how important this game was for us,” Parrott said. “I am just over the moon.”
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