Dominik Szoboszlai was left devastated as his Hungarian team saw their World Cup play-off spot dramatically snatched away by the Republic of Ireland. Troy Parrott emerged as the hero for Ireland, scoring a sensational hat-trick to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Hungary in Budapest.

Parrott equalised twice, first nullifying Daniel Lukacs’ early header with a penalty and then responding to Barnabas Varga’s spectacular first-half goal. In a nail-biting finish, he clinched an improbable win in the sixth minute of added time, ensuring that only a full three points would keep Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad’s dreams alive.

The final whistle left Szoboszlai and his Liverpool colleague Milos Kerkez in shock, as Hungary missed out on their first World Cup appearance since 1986.

Instead of Hungary, it will be Ireland participating in March’s play-offs, having secured second place behind Portugal, who demolished Armenia 9-1 to claim the top spot.

The hosts, who had previously led 2-0 in Dublin within 15 minutes only to end up with a 2-2 draw, once again started off strong, taking the lead just three minutes into the game.

Captain Szoboszlai set up the opening goal, playing a short pass to Kerkez and then delivering a cross to the near post where Lukacs headed past goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Ireland were gifted a golden chance to equalise when Norwegian referee Espen Eskas was advised to review Attila Szalai’s challenge on Chiedozie Ogbene as the forward chased Dara O’Shea’s long ball.

Eskas eventually awarded a penalty and Parrott, whose brace against Portugal had set up the final-day clash at the Puskas Arena, took his time before coolly slotting his penalty past Denes Dibusz.

Knowing that a draw would suffice, Hungary, with Szoboszlai in particular, slowed the pace to maintain possession and frustrate their rivals.

However, they upped the tempo with 28 minutes played and it required a brilliant save from Kelleher to deny Roland Sallai’s close-range shot after Szoboszlai had set up Lukacs to cross from the right.

Ireland’s direct style of play was causing problems for the Hungarians, but they fell behind again with 37 minutes played when Varga controlled Kerkez’s cross 20 yards out before turning and blasting a left-footed rocket high past Kelleher.

Ireland’s situation worsened when Ogbene, chasing Parrott’s tempting through-ball, pulled up holding his hamstring.

Adam Idah came on for the Sheffield United forward, but with Liverpool‘s Szoboszlai showcasing his full repertoire of skills, Ireland’s hopes were looking increasingly bleak.

Idah found the back of the net 57 minutes into the game, but after Kelleher thwarted Sallai’s daring attempt, Parrott expertly controlled Finn Azaz’s lofted pass in the 80th minute before chipping the ball over Dibusz to level the score at 2-2.

Kelleher made a late save from Szoboszlai, and despite Dibusz denying Johnny Kenny a last-minute winner during a late surge, he was helpless when Parrott latched onto Liam Scales’ knockdown and slotted home a crucial winning goal.