Troy Parrott scored twice as the Republic of Ireland beat Portugal 2-0 in Dublin and Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for lashing out at Dara O’Shea
Troy Parrott’s stunning brace against Portugal has kept the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup hopes alive.
This group of Irish players has finally delivered that “special result against a big team” that Dara O’Shea said they craved on the eve of Thursday night’s match.
This victory can be placed alongside Germany 10 years ago, Italy at Euro 2016 and, should they complete the job against Hungary on Sunday, the Netherlands 24 years ago on Ireland’s route to their last World Cup.
It was arguably a superior performance to those occasions; one that depended less on fortune and more on complete discipline and control. And, naturally, a more emphatic winning margin.
Parrott grabbed the headlines, but every single player wearing green deserved their moment in the spotlight, reports the Irish Mirror.
The AZ Alkmaar forward was amongst five changes from last month’s Armenia fixture – yet they all performed as though they’d been together in a training camp since that victory.
Heimir Hallgrímsson had spoken this week about the benefit of having the Armenia-Hungary match conclude before kick-off in Dublin.
It proved to be a blow to the stomach, as the Magyars’ victory increased the pressure on Ireland. Defeat would have meant elimination.
Pressure? That’s for tyres, surely. Every single one of Hallgrímsson’s players stood tall like giants, seemingly growing with each defensive block and clearance.
Cristiano Ronaldo stated in the build-up that he didn’t want to be booed. His desire was fulfilled.
Well, sort of. He departed the field to applause from the Irish contingent after venting his anger on Dara O’Shea, striking out with his elbow in the 59th minute.
Following an initial yellow card, referee Glenn Nyberg was summoned by VAR to reassess his call and, upon seeing a clear replay of the incident, there could be just one verdict.
As he made his way off slowly, Ronaldo offered sarcastic applause to the very supporters about whom he’d remarked the night before: “I really like the fans here. The support they give to the national team, it’s lovely.”
And lovely it was, an atmosphere that stirred memories of the old Lansdowne Road and its crumbling stands that swayed to endless rounds of ‘Ole, Ole, Ole’.
That classic anthem received several airings on Thursday evening.
It proved a frustrating evening for Ronaldo from the outset as he hunted his 144th international strike.
With one early attempt, it became a case of an unstoppable force colliding with an immovable object when one of his trademark knuckleball free-kicks crashed into Dara O’Shea’s skull. The Ipswich centre-back’s block sent the ball soaring skyward and O’Shea reacted as though he’d just netted a winner.
Another strike by the iconic number seven, this time from 16 yards as he latched onto a Joao Cancelo cutback, sailed high into the evening sky, to roaring cheers from the home faithful. The night was dominated by Ireland’s number seven, who netted his sixth and seventh goals for his country at international level.
Parrott’s first goal was a masterclass in set-piece execution – a Josh Cullen corner delivered with an audacious trajectory, reminiscent of one of Ronaldo’s knuckleballs.
Liam Scales cleverly lost Joao Felix, who seemed mesmerised by the ball’s flight, losing sight of the Irish wing-back.
Scales, seemingly already acknowledging the applause for his part in the goal, headed the ball into the six-yard box where Parrott finished from close range.
This was swiftly followed by Ireland’s second goal just before half-time.
In the form of his life, Parrott sprinted onto what can only be described as a nonchalant chip from O’Shea, a delightful pass over the high Portuguese defensive line, with only one thing on his mind.
Parrott’s initial touch with the outside of his right boot was exquisite. A few more touches and he found himself facing Ruben Neves, just outside the left-hand post.
Costa, like everyone else in the stadium, anticipated a shot towards the far corner. By the time he realised Parrott’s intentions, it was too late, and his dive was futile as the Dubliner’s shot slipped inside the near post.
With each goal, the roar was thunderous, reminiscent of the old Lansdowne Road, and Parrott savoured every magical moment in front of the singing section.
It’s hard to fathom that, despite netting 15 goals for both club and country this season, he was sidelined for over six weeks due to injury.
The foundation of those goals was a near-flawless display of discipline, with the 10 outfield players moving in unison, forming a formidable green barrier against each Portuguese attack.
Their counterattacks were threatening, but their early ventures forward lacked precision – from Finn Azaz when Ogbene was beside him, and from Parrott when Ogbene was once again lurking with purpose.
The breakthrough occurred when goalkeeper Diogo Costa’s nonchalant clearance attempt was blocked by Parrott, leading to the corner that Cullen directed towards Scales.
Then it was back to the ultra-disciplined defensive formation, with Parrott 30 yards from his own goal and always alert, ready to make a dash for it.
Meanwhile, Portugal became increasingly agitated. Vitinha, the exceptional PSG midfielder, suddenly seemed as if he was wearing his boots on the wrong feet, as he misjudged several angled balls into the box.
Nathan Collins, Jake O’Brien and O’Shea were solid in defence, heading away every threat, while Cullen acted as a protective shield in front of the defence.
Apart from a brief period late in the first half, before Parrott’s second goal, where Diogo Dalot and Joao Felix fired a few attempts over the bar, the visitors barely had a glimpse at Kelleher’s goal.
The Brentford goalkeeper demonstrated his alertness with a late save, showing quick reflexes to deny Goncalo Ramos’s 88th minute strike.
Next up is Budapest, where Ireland must secure a victory to guarantee a play-off position next March. A repeat of this performance should suffice.
