Five great moments from the international break

Parrott becomes Irish icon

Ireland’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup were left hanging by a thread this month, with big results needed against Portugal and Hungary to keep their hopes of a first World Cup in more than two decades alive.

The odds were stacked against Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side as Portugal, ranked 57 places above Ireland according to FIFA, arrived at the Aviva Stadium. What followed was one of The Boys in Green’s best victories of the 21st century, as Troy Parrott’s first-half brace sealed a precious win over the 10-man Portuguese, who had sent off Cristiano Ronaldo.

Somehow, just three days later, things got even better. A winner-takes-all showdown with Hungary seemed to be going the home side’s way, as the Hungarians led 2-1 with just 10 minutes to go. Only a win would be enough to keep Ireland’s hopes of a play-off place alive, but Parrott’s second goal of the match – and fourth on the break – ensured a grandstand finish.

Troy Parrott, take your place in the pantheon of Irish greats 🇮🇪pic.twitter.com/KATKNMZO4g

— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 16, 2025

Then it happened. A long ball from Caoimhín Kelleher was tapped in by Liam Scales in the 96th minute, with Parrott alert to poke past the goalkeeper. Hat trick. Hero. Pandemonium. Against all odds, Ireland are in the play-offs.

Haaland’s heroics end the wait for the World Cup in Norway

Erling Haaland was in danger of joining the long list of iconic footballers never having played in a World Cup. Norway had not qualified for the tournament since 1998, with their last major tournament being the same summer (2000) that Haaland was born.

The wait is over and the qualification has been achieved in style. Eight wins from eight games, including emphatic home and away victories over Italy, have sealed Norway’s ticket to North America next summer.

Erling Haaland was not only at the top of the list, he had everyone behind him. A historic 16 goals in the 2026 UEFA World Cup qualifiers, sending Norway 🇳🇴 back to the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

A World Cup they last played in ??? pic.twitter.com/fLNJjmEYeQ

— 433 (@433) November 19, 2025

Haaland scored 16 goals in those eight games, double the score of any other player in the European qualifiers. The 25-year-old is a phenomenon and will rightly be on the biggest stage of them all next summer.

The magic of McTominay, Tierney and McLean sends Scotland to the World Cup

Scotland are another team to have ended the wait and secured a World Cup place for the first time in 28 years. The Tartan Army had to beat Denmark at Hampden Park to qualify and achieved it after an all-time classic.

Scott McTominay delivered his final ‘I am him’ moment inside four minutes as the Napoli midfielder scored a daring bicycle kick to open the scoring.

A shaky second half then brought the drama. First, Rasmus Hojlund equalized from the spot after a foul by Andy Robertson, before Danish defender Rasmus Kristensen saw red and handed the momentum back to Scotland. When Lawrence Shankland sent in Scotland’s second, the match seemed won, only for Patrick Dorgu to draw level again for Denmark.

McTominay. Shanken. KT The mayor.

Proof that last night did indeed happen⤵️#FIFAWorldCup | @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/UxXVxieMcg

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) November 19, 2025

Scotland surged forward for a winner and found it in style. A long ball into the box broke back to Kieran Tierney, who scored the winner. Yet there was time for more. While Denmark threw bodies forward, Scotland pounced. Kenny McLean lifted his head to see Kasper Schmeichel in no man’s land as he attempted to score from his own half. A special, special evening for Scotland, littered with magical moments.

Beautiful seven for Wales

Wales locked up home advantage for the play-off semi-finals after beating North Macedonia 7-1 in a performance head coach Craig Bellamy called ‘almost perfect’.

Harry Wilson hit a hat-trick to lead the attack, before goals from David Brooks, Brennan Johnson, Daniel James and Nathan Broadhead sealed a seven-goal success.

A night that will live long in the memory 😇 pic.twitter.com/hOWtd51DJr

– Wales 🏴 (@cymru) November 18, 2025

North Macedonia had started the evening with points against Wales and looking to secure a play-off place of their own, having conceded just three goals in seven games prior to the trip to Cardiff. However, the visitors had no answer for Bellamy’s side as Wales scored seven goals in one match for the first time in 47 years.