Austria recover from two goals down to deny Ireland after Parrott double

The Republic of Ireland surrendered a two-goal advantage as Austria fought back to draw 2–2 at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday. Troy Parrott scored both home goals before substitutes Alexander Prass and Michael Gregoritsch rescued a point, leaving Ireland without the victory that would have taken them top of Nations League Group B3, according to the Press Association's match report.

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Parrott opened the scoring in the 12th minute after collecting Adam Idah's flicked header. He beat the defenders around him and finished low past Florian Wiegele. His second came from the penalty spot just before half-time, after Nicolas Seiwald fouled Ryan Manning and a video review preceded the kick. Ireland went into the interval leading 2–0.

Austria's response arrived late in the second half. Prass scored in the 71st minute, with an initial offside decision overturned following a VAR check. Gregoritsch equalised six minutes later. BBC Sport reported that his curling free-kick beat Caoimhin Kelleher, completing a comeback driven by Austria's bench and keeping Ralf Rangnick's side top of the group.

Neither team found a winning goal in the closing stages. Wiegele saved an effort from Ireland captain Dara O'Shea, while Gregoritsch sent another attempt over the bar. The draw left Ireland third behind Austria and Kosovo at the halfway stage of the group, rather than leading the standings.

The football was interrupted twice before the break by protests against Ireland fulfilling their fixtures with Israel. Reuters reported that tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags were thrown onto the pitch from behind both goals around the 20th minute. Players took a cooling break and play resumed just over two minutes later. Security also removed a man carrying a Palestinian flag later in the half.

Ireland's next meeting with Israel is scheduled for Sunday behind closed doors in Backa Topola, Serbia. Reuters reported that goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who withdrew before Ireland's 3–0 win over Israel in Hungary, returned to the bench against Austria but would not take part in Sunday's fixture. The Football Association of Ireland moved that home match abroad.