Ireland beat Israel 3-0 for first Nations League Group B3 win

The Republic of Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in Debrecen on Sunday to secure their first victory in Nations League Group B3. BBC Sport reported that Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan scored before half-time, giving Ireland a winning response to their defeat in Kosovo three days earlier.

Watch the highlights:

Parrott opened the scoring in the 14th minute from James Abankwah's cutback, registering his 12th international goal. Idah doubled the advantage two minutes later after Moylan sent him through. Moylan then scored himself in the 25th minute, carrying the ball into the penalty area before finishing for his first competitive international goal.

Caoimhin Kelleher stopped Anan Khalaili before the interval and denied Dor Peretz and Eliel Peretz as Israel sought a second-half response. At the other end, Daniel Peretz prevented Idah from adding another goal. Ireland's three-goal advantage remained intact, with the visitors completing the win without conceding.

The result followed a difficult build-up surrounding calls for Ireland to boycott the fixtures because of the Israel-Gaza war. In separate coverage, BBC Sport reported that the players voted to play during a meeting at their hotel on Saturday. Before kick-off, there were no handshakes or exchange of pennants, and Ireland's players bowed their heads during Israel's anthem.

Ireland also wore black armbands. Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell had explained that the gesture recognised everyone killed in the Gaza conflict. After the match, head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson told RTE that his players' actions had drawn international attention to the issue. He said their views on the fixture had not determined his team selection, which was based on performance.

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu had withdrawn from the Israel matches, explaining that he did not believe he should participate. Hallgrimsson confirmed he would be included for Thursday's game against 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 in Ireland.