Hungary 2-3 Ireland Player Ratings: Troy Parrott Rated 10/10 as His Hat-Trick Seals Thrilling 3-2 Win

What an absolutely bonkers game of football we just witnessed. From our perspective, this match was a whirlwind of emotion, a true rollercoaster that twisted and turned until the very last second. Hungary came out of the blocks flying at the Puskás Aréna, and it felt like they would run away with it after Dániel Lukács nodded them ahead inside three minutes. The home crowd was electric. But then, a moment of madness from Attila Szalai gifted Republic of Ireland a penalty, which Troy Parrott dispatched with ice in his veins.

Just when you thought Ireland had a foothold, Barnabás Varga unleashed a brilliant strike to put the Hungarians back in front before the break. The second half was a cagey, brutal affair. Both teams battled for every inch. We noticed the game became stretched, and spaces started opening up, which Parrott brilliantly exploited to level the score at 2-2. It felt destined for a draw, a fair result for a hard-fought contest in this WC Qualification Europe fixture.

But football, in its infinite and beautiful cruelty, had one final act. Deep into stoppage time, with hearts in mouths, Troy Parrott popped up again. A poacher's finish. A hat-trick. A stunning, unbelievable 3-2 win for the Irish. You simply couldn't write it. An unforgettable conclusion to a dramatic match.

Here are Hungary Vs Ireland Player Ratings

Ireland Player Ratings vs Hungary

Here are Ireland Player Ratings vs Hungary

Goalkeeper

Caoimhín Kelleher - 7.5: Conceded two goals, but honestly, he could do little about either. What stood out to us were his five saves, all from inside the box. He made some absolutely massive stops in the second half, especially the one to deny Willi Orbán's header. His distribution wasn't always perfect, but his shot-stopping kept his team in the game when Hungary pushed hard. A confident and crucial performance.

Defenders

Dara O'Shea - 6.0: A difficult evening for O'Shea. He was dribbled past a couple of times and seemed to struggle with the movement of Hungary's forwards. He did make a few important blocks and clearances. However, losing six of his ten aerial duels tells a story. He never gave up, which we appreciate, but it was a tough assignment for him.

Jake O'Brien - 6.0: Only on for the first half, so it's hard to give a full assessment. He missed a big chance from a set-piece which could have changed the game's complexion early on. Looked a bit off the pace before being substituted at halftime. Not the debut half he would have dreamed of.

Nathan Collins - 7.0: As captain, he tried to lead from the back. He was a mixed bag for sure. Some of his stats are excellent: 7 clearances, 3 tackles, and a 90% pass accuracy. But he was also dribbled past twice and looked vulnerable at times. From our perspective, his leadership and commitment were visible throughout, and he battled hard against the physical Varga.

Midfielders

Séamus Coleman - 6.5: A steady, if unspectacular, 60 minutes from the veteran. He was tidy in possession and drew a couple of fouls. Didn't offer a huge threat going forward and was eventually replaced as Ireland chased the game. You know what you're getting with Coleman: professionalism and hard work.

Liam Scales - 7.0: A game of two halves for Scales. He got booked and struggled in some defensive duels. However, his contribution for the winning goal was immense, providing the headed assist for Parrott's winner. That single moment bumps his rating significantly. It was a crucial, game-winning action that overshadowed his earlier struggles.

Josh Cullen - 6.5: An industrious performance in the middle of the park. Kept the ball moving with an 81% pass accuracy and recovered the ball four times. Picked up a yellow card which perhaps led to his substitution. He did his job without any fuss, a typical Cullen performance really.

Jayson Molumby - 6.5: Looked very neat and tidy during his hour on the pitch. An impressive 96% pass accuracy shows how reliable he was in possession. He won most of his duels and put in a shift. It was a bit of a surprise to see him taken off, but he can be happy with his contribution.

Forwards

Troy Parrott - 10: Simply sensational. A perfect hat-trick hero. He showed immense composure for the penalty, took his second goal brilliantly, and then had the poacher's instinct to be in the right place for the last-gasp winner. Four shots on target, three goals. You cannot ask for more. An all-time great Irish performance that he will never forget. The highest-rated player on the pitch without a doubt.

Finn Azaz - 7.5: This guy was a livewire. Yes, he lost the ball a lot, but that's because he was constantly trying to make things happen. He created three chances, got a deserved assist, and was always looking to play a killer pass. A joy to watch when he's on the ball, bringing a level of creativity that Ireland desperately needed.

Chiedozie Ogbene - 7.0: A real shame his game was cut short by injury. In his 53 minutes, he was a proper menace. His pace and power won the penalty that got Ireland back into the game. He was a constant handful for the Hungarian defence. His absence was felt after he went off.

Substitutes

Adam Idah - 6.0: Came on for Ogbene but struggled to make a similar impact. Was caught offside a couple of times and missed a header.

Festy Ebosele - 5.5: Looked rash after coming on, committing a couple of fouls and picking up a yellow card.

Johnny Kenny - 6.0: Had one shot saved late on but didn't have much time to influence the game.

Jack Taylor - N/A: Brought on late to shore things up after the equaliser.

Manager

H. Hallgrímsson - 7.5: His team showed incredible heart and resilience to fight back from being behind twice. To orchestrate a win away from home in this fashion is a massive achievement. The team never gave up on his plan, and that belief paid off in the most dramatic way possible. A huge result for him and his squad.

Hungary Player Ratings vs Ireland

Here are Hungary Player Ratings vs Ireland

Goalkeeper

Dénes Dibusz - 5.5: A tough night for the keeper. He conceded three goals and only managed two saves. His passing was particularly poor, completing only 42% of his attempts. From our perspective, he looked uncertain and didn't command his area with any authority. He'll be disappointed with the goals he let in.

Defenders

Attila Szalai - 5.0: A disastrous performance. He clumsily gave away the penalty for Ireland's first goal and picked up a booking. He won just three of his eight duels and looked completely overwhelmed by the Irish attackers. A day he will want to forget very, very quickly. It's rare we see a performance so fraught with errors.

Willi Orbán - 7.0: In contrast to his defensive partner, Orbán was a rock. He won 100% of his duels and made eight clearances. He was calm and composed throughout, a real leader at the back. He even had a header brilliantly saved. It's hard to fault him for any of the goals conceded.

Loïc Nego - 6.5: A solid and disciplined performance on the defensive flank. He won five of his six duels and made several important clearances. He didn't venture forward much, focusing on his defensive duties. A quiet but effective outing for him before being subbed late on.

Milos Kerkez - 7.5: We were very impressed with Kerkez. He was a constant threat down the left, creating an incredible five chances and grabbing an assist. He was also solid defensively, winning seven duels and making three tackles. A fantastic all-around wing-back performance, full of energy and quality.

Midfielders

Dominik Szoboszlai - 9.0: The man is pure class. He was at the heart of everything good for Hungary. An assist, five key passes, and an incredible 15 crosses. He ran the game from midfield, gliding past players and dictating the tempo. It was a masterful display that deserved more than a loss. A truly world-class talent.

András Schäfer - 7.0: Looked excellent before an injury forced him off after 63 minutes. His 91% pass accuracy and tidy work in possession were crucial for Hungary's control of the game in the first hour. A real shame his match ended prematurely, as he was playing very well.

Dániel Lukács - 7.0: Scored the opening goal with a classic poacher's header. He was a threat throughout his time on the pitch, always looking for space in the box. A goal-scoring debut or early appearance is always a special moment, and he took his chance well.

Roland Sallai - 7.0: A bundle of energy. He had five shots, drew four fouls, and was a constant thorn in Ireland's side. While his end product was sometimes lacking, his relentless running and aggression created chaos. He never stopped working for his team.

Alex Tóth - 6.5: Played for 76 minutes and provided a solid base in midfield. He was neat on the ball, with high passing accuracy, and made some important interceptions. A more defensive-minded performance that allowed Szoboszlai the freedom to roam.

Forwards

Barnabás Varga - 7.5: What a physical specimen. He scored a fantastic goal from distance and was an absolute monster in the air, winning 11 aerial duels. He was a nightmare for the Irish defenders to handle. The only downside was his tendency to lose possession, but his physical impact and goal were immense.

Substitutes

Callum Styles - 6.0: Came on and was neat in possession but didn't change the game.

Bence Ötvös - 6.0: Looked busy but couldn't help his team see out the result.

Bendegúz Bolla - N/A: On for the final stretch.

Damir Redzic - N/A: A very late sub.

Attila Mocsi - N/A: A very late sub.

Manager

M. Rossi - 6.0: His team's attacking plan, centered around Dominik Szoboszlai, was brilliant and caused Ireland endless problems. However, he will be furious with his team's defensive fragility. Conceding three goals, including a penalty and a last-minute winner, points to a lack of organization and concentration at the back. He failed to make the right changes to secure the result.

Sportsdunia's player of the match is Troy Parrott