International football delivered high drama and historic achievements over the weekend, with one player's extraordinary individual performance and one team's demonstration of complete dominance capturing the headlines.
Chaos and Delirium in Budapest
In one of the most chaotic and thrilling conclusions to an international match in recent memory, the Republic of Ireland secured a dramatic late victory against Hungary in Budapest. The match was turned on its head in injury time by Tottenham Hotspur's Troy Parrott, who scored twice in the dying moments to complete a stunning personal hat-trick and seal a remarkable comeback win for his country.
The panel on Football Weekly, including Jonathan Wilson, Barney Ronay, and John Brewin, relived the breathtaking moments that sent Ireland into "full delirium." The show also featured excited voice notes from Barry Glendenning and David O'Doherty, capturing the raw emotion of the incredible turnaround.
Flawless England March On
While Ireland provided the late drama, England calmly completed a perfect World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign. Under the management of Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions won all eight of their qualifying matches without conceding a single goal, a formidable achievement that solidifies their status as one of the favourites for the upcoming tournament.
The Football Weekly panel discussed what can be learned from such a dominant campaign. The conversation also turned to the headlines surrounding Jude Bellingham, following the Real Madrid star's notably slow walk off the pitch after being substituted during the final match.
Other Qualifying Drama Unfolds
The weekend's action was not limited to Ireland and England. The path to the World Cup saw significant developments across the home nations and beyond.
Scotland managed to keep their qualifying hopes alive despite suffering a defeat away in Greece. Meanwhile, Wales edged past a resilient Liechtenstein side to secure a vital three points.
In a standout result elsewhere in Europe, Norway delivered a battering to Italy, with goal machine Erling Haaland continuing his record-breaking form at international level, further cementing his reputation as one of the world's most feared strikers.
With a decisive week ahead for several home nations, the international football scene remains as compelling and unpredictable as ever.
