Former MK Dons loanee Troy Parrott scores hat-trick as Ireland book World Cup play-off place

Former MK Dons loanee Troy Parrott scored a hat-trick as Ireland beat Hungary 3-2 to book a World Cup play-off place.

Parrott’s hat-trick in Budapest, which included a 96th minute winner, was enough for Ireland to finish second in their group in World Cup qualifying, which will see the team enter the play-offs for a place at the World Cup in North America next summer.

One-time Don Parrott, who now plays for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, was a big hero for the Irish after he scored five goals in two games in the current international break. Parrott had previously scored both goals as Ireland beat Portugal 2-0 in Dublin in their previous match.

Parrott scored his first with a 15th minute equaliser from the penalty spot after the Hungarians had taken a third minute lead. After Hungary took the lead for a second time less than ten minutes before half-time, Parrott would grab a second equaliser in the 80th minute to set up a dramatic conclusion.

With only a victory enough for Ireland to take a play-off place, the visitors piled on pressure and after coming close with several chances, Parrott scored again. The striker was in place to grab a dramatic winner in the sixth minute of added time as he poked the ball past Hungarian keeper Denes Dibusz to grab Ireland victory at the Puskas Arena and leapfrog Hungary to take second place in Group F.

Ireland will now be in the World Cup play-offs as they vie to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2002, and the fourth time in the nation’s history. The draw for the play-offs will take place on Thursday (20/11), with all teams that enter knowing they will need to win a single-leg tie to set up a single-leg showdown with another opponent to take one of the 4 UEFA places that will be decided in the play-offs.

Parrott previously spent the 2021/22 season on loan with MK Dons from previous club Spurs, playing regular football for a side that finished third in League One that season.

He scored 10 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions, including a late equaliser against AFC Wimbledon and a goal on his final appearance for MK Dons in the play-offs against Wycombe Wanderers.