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Parrott Makes Magic but Austria Claw Back Two-Goal Lead
Troy Parrott scored twice before Austria equalized in five second-half minutes, leaving Ireland with a draw and third place in the group.
The Republic of Ireland drew 2-2 with Austria in a UEFA Nations League match at Aviva Stadium on Thursday, October 01, 2026, surrendering a two-goal lead in the second half.
Campaign group Stop The Game staged a "limited tennis ball protest" around the 20th minute, while a pitch invader carrying a Palestinian flag also paused play, halted twice by Dutch referee Allard Lindhout.
Striker Troy Parrott netted a 12th-minute solo goal and a penalty to build a 2-0 lead, but substitutes Alexander Prass and Michael Gregoritsch scored in the 71st and 77th minutes to equalize.
Following the draw, Ireland sits third in Group B3 behind Austria and Kosovo at the halfway point of the group stage, though head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has made the Aviva a fortress.
Attention shifts to Sunday as Ireland travels to Backla Topola, Serbia, to face Israel in a behind-closed-doors match, with the Football Association of Ireland hoping to avoid further incident.
Alexander Prass became the decisive driver for Austria in the game against Ireland! The 25-year-old came into the game in the 67th minute and provided a lot of momentum with his goal as well as his role as a Gefoulter just before the 2:2.