Ireland beat Israel 3-0 as Hallgrimsson backs players after pre-match protest

The Republic of Ireland recorded their first victory in Nations League Group B3 by beating Israel 3-0 in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday. BBC Sport reported that Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan scored before half-time as Ireland responded to their defeat in Kosovo three days earlier with a win and a clean sheet.

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Parrott opened the scoring in the 14th minute, converting a James Abankwah cutback for his 12th international goal. Idah made it 2-0 two minutes later after Moylan played him through. Moylan then scored himself in the 25th minute, carrying the ball into the penalty area before finishing for his first competitive goal for Ireland.

Caoimhin Kelleher prevented Anan Khalaili from scoring before the interval and stopped efforts from Dor Peretz and Eliel Peretz after the restart. At the other end, Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz denied Idah a second goal by pushing his attempt past the post. Israel could not reduce the deficit, leaving Ireland with all three points.

The result followed a disputed build-up in which Ireland's players voted on Saturday to fulfil the fixture amid calls for a boycott over the Israel-Gaza war. BBC Sport reported that the teams did not shake hands before kick-off, while Ireland's players lowered their heads during Israel's anthem. Captains Dara O'Shea and Manor Solomon did not exchange pennants either.

Ireland also wore black armbands. Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell said the gesture recognised everyone killed in the Gaza conflict. Speaking to RTE afterwards, head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said the players' actions had drawn international attention to the issue. He said their views about playing the fixture had not determined his team selection.

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu had withdrawn from both matches against Israel. Hallgrimsson confirmed that Bazunu would nevertheless be part of the squad for Thursday's meeting with Austria in Dublin, but would not take part in the return Israel fixture. That match is scheduled for 4 October in Backa Topola, Serbia, rather than at Ireland's usual home venue.