The Republic of Ireland produced a dramatic late rescue act in their World Cup qualifying campaign, drawing 2-2 with Hungary at the Aviva Stadium thanks to a stoppage-time strike from Adam Idah. The match, filled with tension, controversy, and moments of individual brilliance, was a rollercoaster ride for the home supporters who left the stadium both relieved and reflective.
Hungary, reduced to ten men in the second half after a red card, looked set to claim all three points until Idah intervened. His last-gasp equalizer ensured Stephen Kenny’s side salvaged a point, but it also exposed underlying concerns about consistency, defensive discipline, and the ability to break down resilient opposition.
A High-Stakes Night in Dublin
Every World Cup qualifier carries immense significance, particularly for teams like Ireland, who are striving to re-establish themselves on the global stage after years of near-misses and disappointment. The fixture against Hungary was billed as a must-win or, at the very least, a must-not-lose encounter.
The visitors, buoyed by their recent progress in European football, arrived with confidence, showcasing a blend of physicality and technical flair. For Ireland, the task was clear: harness the energy of the Aviva crowd, impose themselves from the outset, and continue to build momentum.
What unfolded, however, was a gripping contest in which both sides traded blows and, ultimately, shared the spoils.
Early Exchanges Hungary Take Control
The match began with Ireland attempting to dictate tempo, pressing high and pushing their full-backs forward. But it was Hungary who struck first, punishing the hosts’ sluggish defending. In the 17th minute, a swift Hungarian counterattack sliced through Ireland’s midfield. A precise through-ball split the defense, and striker Roland Sallai calmly slotted past Gavin Bazunu to give the visitors a 1–0 lead. The goal stunned the home supporters, whose optimism was briefly dampened by the defensive lapse.
Ireland attempted to respond, with Jeff Hendrick and Jason Knight trying to orchestrate attacks, but their moves often broke down in the final third. Hungary, compact and disciplined, absorbed the pressure well, looking dangerous on the counter.
Ireland’s Equalizer A Glimmer of Hope
Just when frustration threatened to boil over, Ireland found their response. In the 34th minute, a well-worked move down the left culminated in a cross from James McClean. Adam Idah’s initial header was parried by the Hungarian goalkeeper, but Chiedozie Ogbene reacted quickest, smashing the rebound into the net.
The goal reignited the Aviva Stadium, with fans sensing a shift in momentum. Ireland pressed hard for a second before halftime, but their efforts were thwarted by Hungary’s resolute defending and some wayward finishing.
Second-Half Drama Hungary Strike Back
If Ireland expected to dominate after the interval, they were in for a rude awakening. Hungary, determined to silence the crowd, regained the lead in the 57th minute. A curling free kick was only partially cleared, and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai pounced on the loose ball, firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
It was a moment of pure quality from Hungary’s talisman, underlining his reputation as one of Europe’s rising stars. The goal restored Hungary’s advantage and left Ireland once again chasing the game.
The Turning Point Hungary Reduced to Ten
The contest took a dramatic turn in the 72nd minute. Hungarian defender Attila Szalai, already on a yellow card, lunged recklessly into a challenge on Idah. The referee showed a second yellow, reducing the visitors to ten men.
The red card galvanized Ireland, who now had both the numerical advantage and the home crowd urging them forward. Kenny threw on attacking substitutions, including Callum Robinson, to increase pressure on the tiring Hungarian defense.
Wave After Wave of Pressure
For the final 20 minutes, Ireland camped in Hungary’s half. Crosses flew into the box, corners piled up, and the visitors retreated deeper with every passing minute. Despite the relentless pressure, Ireland struggled to find a breakthrough. Shots were blocked, headers went wide, and Hungarian goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi produced a string of vital saves.
The sense of urgency grew as the clock ticked into stoppage time. It seemed as though Ireland’s efforts would come up short, until the decisive moment arrived.
Idah’s Heroics in Stoppage Time
Deep into added time, Ireland launched yet another attack. A long ball was flicked on into the box, where Adam Idah wrestled free from his marker. With composure beyond his years, the Norwich City striker hammered a low drive into the bottom corner, sending the stadium into raptures.
The equalizer was more than just a goal; it was a lifeline. Idah’s celebration, arms aloft in front of the roaring crowd, embodied the relief and determination of a team unwilling to concede defeat.
Post-Match Reactions
-
Stephen Kenny (Republic of Ireland Manager)
“I’m proud of the character the team showed. We never gave up, even when it looked like the game was slipping away. Adam’s goal was a reward for our persistence. Of course, we need to be better defensively, and we can’t give teams of Hungary’s quality so many chances, but we’ll take the point and build from here.”
-
Adam Idah (Goal Scorer)
“It was incredible. To score in front of these fans and help the team get something from the game means everything. We know we can play better, but tonight was about fighting until the end.”
-
Marco Rossi (Hungary Manager)
“It’s disappointing to concede so late, especially after playing so well for much of the match. The red card changed everything, but I’m proud of how my players fought. This point could still be very important in the group.”
Roy Keane’s Verdict
Pundits were divided, but former Irish captain Roy Keane provided his trademark blunt analysis.
“Yes, they showed spirit, and yes, Idah’s goal was great,” Keane said. “But Ireland made it too hard for themselves. You can’t keep conceding soft goals and expect to get away with it. The defending was poor, the passing sloppy. They need to be braver, more ruthless. It’s not just about fighting spirit—it’s about quality.”
Tactical Analysis
-
Ireland’s Strengths
-
-
- Resilience: Refusing to give up, even when down twice.
- Set-Piece Threat: Looked dangerous from corners and free kicks late on.
- Impact of Substitutions: Kenny’s attacking changes tilted momentum.
-
-
Ireland’s Weaknesses
- Defensive Frailty: Twice undone by avoidable goals.
- Lack of Creativity in Open Play: Too reliant on crosses, with limited central penetration.
- Sluggish Starts: Conceding first disrupted rhythm and confidence.
-
Hungary’s Approach
- Compact shape, quick counters.
- Leaned heavily on Szoboszlai’s creativity.
- After the red card, focused purely on survival.
Group Implications
The draw leaves both teams still in contention for qualification but with work to do.
- Ireland: The point could prove vital, but missed opportunities to win at home may haunt them later in the campaign. They remain outside automatic qualification spots, with pressure mounting ahead of tougher fixtures.
- Hungary: The result keeps them competitive, but dropping points after leading twice will sting. Rossi’s men know every result matters in a tightly contested group.
The Bigger Picture for Ireland
While the late equalizer boosted morale, the performance raised questions about Ireland’s ability to control games against strong opponents. Kenny has overseen progress, particularly in blooding young players like Idah, Ogbene, and Knight. Yet critics argue results remain inconsistent, and the balance between development and qualification ambitions is delicate.
The Aviva crowd, though thrilled by the late drama, will demand more. The next round of qualifiers may well determine whether Ireland can realistically dream of returning to the World Cup stage.
A Night That Captured Ireland’s Identity
Ultimately, the match against Hungary encapsulated both the promise and pitfalls of this Irish side. They are spirited, resilient, and capable of moments of brilliance—but equally vulnerable, inconsistent, and often reliant on late heroics.
For Idah, the night may be remembered as a defining moment in his international career, proving his potential as a match-winner. For Ireland, it was another reminder that while progress is being made, the road to the World Cup remains fraught with challenges.
Also Read:
