Hungary v Republic of Ireland - Sunday 16th November - 2026 World Cup qualifier

[pineapple stu]

So it's come to this. 15 minutes into the first game against Hungary, our campaign was over. Now we go there "just" needing a win to make the play-offs, on the back of a deserved win over Portugal while Hungary struggled past Armenia in Yerevan (I think Armenia had a couple of great late chances to take a draw.

Manning and Molumby are back, and I don't think anyone's out after yesterday? Maybe Azaz, but I think he only came off with Cramp.

But do you make changes to yesterday? After all, it worked - and it worked when it got going in the second half against Hungary too.

This couldn't be on - could it?

And if we can win and Portugal lose at home against Armenia...well, let's not get too carried away.

[Fixer82]

Armenia had a glorious chance right at the death. Hungary are no great shakes.

I would stick with the same team as last night but with Manning coming in for Scales and Molumby in for Taylor. Both were excellent last night, especially Scales.

But Manning’s free taking could be crucial.
And Molumby’s tenacity could also be very much needed.

[backstothewall]

The big thing about last night is that we've gone from this being an impossible to task to a plausible ask. Had we drawn last night we would still have been in it, but we would be heading to Hungary needing to win by 4 clear goals.

Now we need a win. Any win will do. We've shown that we can defend, and that we offer a threat from set pieces. Based on that we have a punchers chance of getting what we need.

And there must be a spring in the step this morning that's been absent for years.

On the contrary there would have been a hell of an adjustment in the mood in the best hotel in Yereven last night. Hungary will be worried.

[pineapple stu]

Had we drawn last night we would still have been in it, but we would be heading to Hungary needing to win by 4 clear goals.

Two goals.

I remember in secondary school, the maths teacher ran the football 5-a-sides. Started with a group stage and then into knock-outs. One team needed to beat their opponents by three goals (say), but the didn't realise that when playing against their direct rivals, every goal they scored was worth two in terms of goal difference, because it was a goal conceded by the rivals too. They thought they needed to win by six, and kept pushing even after getting the third goal. The maths teacher thought it was hilarious and used it as a brief sarcastic example in class

[backstothewall]

Two goals.

I remember in secondary school, the maths teacher ran the football 5-a-sides. Started with a group stage and then into knock-outs. One team needed to beat their opponents by three goals (say), but the didn't realise that when playing against their direct rivals, every goal they scored was worth two in terms of goal difference, because it was a goal conceded by the rivals too. They thought they needed to win by six, and kept pushing even after getting the third goal. The maths teacher thought it was hilarious and used it as a brief sarcastic example in class

Of course.

In my defence I was up late last night!