Ireland celebrates after Troy Parrott secures last

Ireland has kept its World Cup hopes alive with a stunning comeback win against Hungary.

Troy Parrott, the unheralded Ireland striker who sent Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal to a 2-0 loss on Thursday, did even better on Sunday with a hat-trick.

He struck in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time in Budapest to complete his hat-trick in a 3-2 win that secured Ireland's place in the playoffs for next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

"This is why we love football because things like this can happen," Parrott told RTE, Ireland's national television and radio broadcaster.

"I said against Portugal that this is what dreams are made of, but this tonight. I don't think I'll ever have a better night in my whole life."

The goal sparked scenes of jubilation across Ireland, with footage from a pub at Dublin airport showing fans going wild after the unlikely comeback victory.

After beating Portugal, the Irish still needed victory at second-placed Hungary to seal the runner-up position in Group F.

But trailing 2-1 heading into the 80th minute, it took a dramatic fightback to claim the win.

Parrott levelled by lifting a shot over Hungary goalkeeper Denes Dibusz and, with the clock running down, he converted from close range for the winner deep into added time.

Parrott, who plays for Dutch club AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie, capped an unforgettable week for him personally and Ireland with five goals in two games.

Hungary led after three minutes through Daniel Lukacs, with Parrott equalising from the penalty spot in the 15th.

Barnabas Varga put Hungary ahead for a second time before half-time.

But Parrott's late double consigned the hosts to third place, with group winner Portugal routing Armenia 9-1.

As the result sank in, delirious fans in Budapest took the celebrations into the stadium concourse and elsewhere.

Portugal moves directly through to the World Cup finals, with Ireland still needing to win through at the playoffs in order to make its first World Cup finals appearance since 2002.

Maybe things in Dublin may have settled down by the time the draw for the playoffs happens on Thursday. But maybe not.

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