BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Ireland has kept its World Cup hopes alive with a stunning comeback win against Hungary.

Troy Parrott, the unheralded Ireland striker who sent Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to a 2-0 loss on Thursday, did even better on Sunday with a hat trick.

He struck in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time in Budapest to complete his hat trick in a 3-2 win that secured Ireland’s place in the playoffs for next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“This is why we love football, because things like this can happen,” Parrott told RTE. “I said against Portugal that this is what dreams are made of, but this tonight I don’t think I’ll ever have a better night in my whole life.”

After beating Portugal, the Irish still needed victory at second-placed Hun

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