Troy Parrott has now scored four goals in three games for the Republic of Ireland, and on Sunday night it was not quite enough. Israel equalised eight minutes after the break and the match in Backa Topola finished 1-1, a result that closed a challenging international window for the Irish.
Parrott puts Ireland in front
The game was played behind closed doors at the TSC Arena in northern Serbia, a neutral venue, and the first half was settled by a penalty. Jimmy Dunne was fouled in the box and Parrott took responsibility, sending the spot-kick away in the 39th minute for his fourth goal in three international games. Ireland went in at the break a goal up.
It did not last. Eight minutes into the second half Oscar Gloukh shot, the ball took a deflection off Liam Scales, and Israel captain Dor Peretz was on hand to poke it in from close range. Both sides had chances to win it after that. Chiedozie Ogbene came off the bench and forced a fine save out of Assaf Tzur in the Israel goal, while Israel struck the woodwork twice.
A draw that leaves Ireland third
With Kosovo and Austria having drawn in Pristina earlier in the day, the point leaves the Republic of Ireland third in Group B3, three points behind leaders Austria. They had beaten Israel 3-0 in Hungary the week before, so a draw in the return fixture was a step back from that result.
The controversy around the fixtures
Football was only part of the story. The two games, both at neutral venues, have been controversial ever since the teams were drawn together in February. The Irish players faced persistent calls to withdraw because of the war in Gaza, with the Stop The Game campaign, organised by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine, staging protests before and during Thursday's match against Austria in Dublin. The Football Association of Ireland decided to play the fixtures regardless.
The same gestures that marked last week's game in Debrecen were repeated here. There was no handshake and no exchange of pennants between Ireland captain Caoimhin Kelleher and Israel captain Peretz, and the Irish players bowed their heads while the Israeli anthem was played. Ireland wore black armbands, which FAI chief executive David Courell has said are in recognition of all lives lost in the conflict. Israel also wore black armbands, in memory of those who died in the attacks of 7 October 2023.
Match facts: Republic of Ireland 1-1 Israel, UEFA Nations League League B Group 3, TSC Arena, Backa Topola, Serbia (behind closed doors), Sunday 4 October 2026. Republic of Ireland: Parrott (39th minute, penalty). Israel: Peretz (47th). Half-time 1-0. Ireland are third in Group B3, three points behind Austria.
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