Dramatic Parrott hat-trick sickens Hungary as Ireland earn play-off spot

Troy Parrott completed a hat-trick with virtually the last kick of the game as the Republic of Ireland came from behind to beat Hungary and reach the World Cup play-offs. Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side needed a win in Budapest to secure a spot in the play-offs. Daniel Lukacs’ fourth-minute header gave Hungary the ideal start, and while Troy Parrott’s penalty brought the Irish level, Barnabas Varga’s stunning strike restored the home side’s lead before the break. In a nail-biting second half, Parrott’s deft finish 10 minutes from time setup a grand stand finale and the Dubliner popped up at the death to poke home a memorable winner.

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Hansen grabs hat-trick as Ireland hammer Australia

Mack Hansen scored a superb first-half hat-trick to help lift Ireland to a comprehensive win over Australia in an entertaining Test at Aviva Stadium. Starting an Ireland game at full-back for the first time, Canberra-born Hansen starred in a slick Irish attack on his return from a foot injury with three tries inside the opening 30 minutes. The Wallabies – coached by former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt – stayed in touch at half-time thanks to Len Ikitau and Fraser McReight tries.

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Garnacho rescues draw for Chelsea away to Qarabag

Chelsea escaped suffering a historic loss to Qarabag through substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s second-half equaliser, avoiding the embarrassment of becoming the first English team to lose to the Azerbaijani side. Garnacho equalised having come on as one of three half-time substitutes with his side 2-1 down after goals from Leandro Andrade and Marko Jankovic had put the hosts ahead following Estevao Willian’s early opener for the Blues.

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Leeds add to West Ham’s early season woes

Leeds claimed their first Premier League win at home since the opening day of the season to pile on the problems for dismal West Ham. The result lifted Daniel Farke’s men up to 13th in the table, while the visitors remain second bottom after a seventh loss in nine league games. Brenden Aaronson set the hosts on their way inside three minutes and by the time Joe Rodon headed a second with just over 14 minutes on the clock, it was the earliest Leeds had held a two-goal advantage in the English top flight since April 2004.

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Fermin Lopez hits hat-trick as Barca blitz Olympiacos

Fermin Lopez scored a hat-trick and Marcus Rashford took his personal tally to four goals from three Champions League games as Barcelona thrashed Olympiacos. Two smart first-half finishes from Lopez put Barcelona in control, before his third, a Lamine Yamal penalty and a Rashford double halted a short-lived Olympiacos fightback.

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