Troy Parrott scored twice in the first half to seal Ireland’s hopes of progressing to the next tournament with a famous victory.
Ireland beat Portugal 2-0 to carve a narrow path to next year’s World Cup and leave the Nations League winners waiting to book an automatic spot on a night when captain Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off.
Ireland, who have not qualified for a major competition for a decade and last played in a World Cup in 2002, needed at least a draw on Thursday to keep their hopes of qualifying alive, with Troy Parrott’s first-half goal completing the double for their best performance in years.
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Second-placed Hungary still needs a win in Budapest on Sunday to qualify for next March’s play-offs after a 1-0 win over Armenia. Portugal will most likely need a draw at home to bottom-placed Armenia to secure automatic qualification.
But they have to achieve it without Ronaldo. Ronaldo received his first yellow card for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea in the back, but after a review it was upgraded to his first red card in his 226th appearance for Portugal.
A month ago, Hungary equalized in stoppage time in Lisbon. Portugal, who came close to qualifying for a seventh straight World Cup, were put on the back foot when Liam Scales headed a powerful corner kick into the net in the 17th minute and Parrott couldn’t miss it.
Ireland took the lead and came within two points when Chiedozie Ogbene hit a superb shot against the post, but just before half-time, in-form AZ Alkmaar striker Parrott scored a stunning finish from a similar distance into the bottom corner.
Ireland, who defended bravely in a come-from-behind game before conceding a late goal, needed no repeat after Ronaldo received his marching orders on the hour and sarcastically applauded the jubilant home fans as he departed.
Portugal, who are at least certain to qualify for the play-offs, are two points behind Group F leaders Hungary, who have an advantage on goal difference. Ireland are now one point behind.
Ms Parrott told RTE it was “probably the best night” of her life.
“I feel really relieved and overwhelmed that all my hard work has paid off,” he said.
“We all knew how important this game was for us, especially considering the other result tonight (Hungary beating Armenia). I’m just overwhelmed. I don’t know what to say right now. I’m really happy.”
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson praised the support of the fans and suggested they might have been able to get Ronaldo.
“I can only praise our supporters. We have great fans as always. They have a lot of say in this victory, they give us energy and help us when it matters. They deserve this victory,” he said.
“(Ronaldo) lost concentration a little bit. Maybe the fans helped him a little bit. He was irritated and reacted in a way that he knew he shouldn’t have.”
In another match on Thursday, two goals from star striker Kylian Mbappé helped two-time champions France beat Ukraine 4-0 at home and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
2022 World Cup runners-up France added more goals in a second half dominated by midfielder Michael Oliseh and substitute forward Hugo Ekitike.
Late goals from Gianluca Mancini and Francesco Pio Esposito gave Italy a 2-0 win away to Moldova on Thursday, keeping alive their slim hopes of automatically qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with a fifth straight win.
With the result, Italy now have 18 points, three behind group leaders Norway, who earlier defeated Estonia 4-1, and the two teams will meet in the final round of qualifying on Sunday. The Azzurri now face the seemingly impossible task of overturning their 17 goal difference with Norway with a win.
Goals from Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze led England to a mediocre 2-0 victory over Serbia in a World Cup qualifier at a rain-soaked Wembley Stadium on Thursday, making it seven wins from seven.
Serbia put up even more resistance than they did in September, when they were thrashed 5-0 at home to England, with Dusan Vlahovic twice coming close to equalizing, but the defeat means Serbia are unable to finish in the top two and qualify for the play-offs.
Albania defeated Andorra 1-0 away and are guaranteed a place in the play-offs as runners-up.
