In the ultimate game of two halves, the Republic of Ireland ended up salvaging a point against a Hungary side that played most of the second half with 10 men.
The opening 45 minutes was nothing short of a horror show, the Boys in Green lucky to be just 2-0 down, yet within eight minutes of the resumption Evan Ferguson had pulled one back and Roland Sallai red-carded for the visitors.
Despite dominating possession and upping the pressure considerably, it took Adam Idah's 94th-minute goal to ensure that Ireland didn't fall to defeat in their opening World Cup qualifier.
Here is how we rated the home side.
Caoimhín Kelleher - 9
The Brentford man was bullish in his belief that Ireland need to take the next step and qualify for a major tournament in the build-up, yet it was his heroics that ensured the campaign wasn't on life support after the opening game. Hopes of a ninth clean sheet betwee the Irish sticks were dashed within two minutes, but the two-time Premier League champion couldn't be faulted for either Hungary goal.
A goalscoring save on the stroke of half-time kept the hosts in it, while he was called on to make two brilliant interventions within a five-minute spell on the hour mark as Hungary threatened to puncture the Irish charge on the counter-attack. A superb display from the Cork man.
Matt Doherty - 4
A difficult night at the office for the Wolves man. His 53rd cap began badly when he didn't cover himself in glory for the opening goal - a headed clearance back into traffic and failing to get out quick enough from the cross to play offside - and a mix-up with Nathan Collins saw the needless concession of the corner that led to the corner for the second goal.
The 33-year-old looked a little off the pace throughout, though was unfortunate that a slip on the stroke of half-time nearly saw Hungary plunder a third goal but for Kelleher's intervention. Will come under pressure to retain his place for Armenia.
Nathan Collins - 6
The team captain was not his commanding self. A loose pass out of defence put Ireland on the backfoot prior to the early goal. Was fortunate that Varga failed to double the lead shortly after when the centre-half misjudged the flight of Kerkez's excellent delivery and was a yard off Sallai for the second goal.
The 24-year-old was a handful in the opposition area as the Boys in Green chased the game, involved in the lead-up to Ferguson's goal and a constant target for the wide men. Involved in a number of penalty claims, with varying degrees of contact from the opposition players in close contact.
Dara O'Shea - 6
He wasn't the only Irish defender guilty of a very shaky start, illustrated to costly effect when Barnabas Varga peeled off O'Shea's for the opening goal. The Ipswich Town defender had the chance to seal victory in the fifth-minute of injury time, but couldn't keep his header on target.
Jake O'Brien - 6.5
It was against Hungary last year that the Cork native made his debut and tonight he was pitched in at right-back. A strong foray down the right in the 10th minute showed what he can do on the front foot, though the cross a bit too strong for the onrushing Finn Azaz. Perhaps guilty of not closing some wide crosses down, particularly from Kerkez.
Enjoyed much more time in the opposition half after the break with a couple of cracking first-time deliveries from out wide.
Sammie Szmodics - 5
Something of a surprise inclusion in the starting XI, but failed to justify Halgrimsson's faith as he never really got to grips with the game. An early pot-shot was dragged wide and while he tried a number of runs in off the back of Ferguson, they failed to yield a meaningful return.
Josh Cullen - 6
A player who has not always captured the imagination in the Irish midfield, though on many an occasion he has simply been outnumbered in the half a dozen years he has been representing his country. Couldn't be faulted for effort - the Burnley captain thundered into a few challenges - but the guile Ireland desperately craved from the middle of the pitch never materialised, with the main threats coming out wide.
Jason Knight - 5
One of Knight's key strengths is his pressing game, hounding opposition in possession, but was not at his usual pitch in the opening half hour as Hungary took control. On his 40th cap, the Bristol City captain kept it neat and tidy in possession, without pushing Ireland onto the front foot in a meaningful way.
Ryan Manning - 7
The Galway native has blossomed under Heimir Hallgrimsson's watch and continued his fine club form this season into the international arena. Having scored twice from free-kicks for Southampton this term, the 29-year-old spoke earlier in the week of his desire to have a crack in the international arena. His first opportunity came in the 47th minute and his well-struck effort was not dealt with properly by Hungary, with Ferguson prodding home for a perfect tonic for the home fans.
His second, with 10 minutes remaining, was in a more advantagous position and drew another smart save. Always an attacking outlet down the left, and the brightest spark in a testing opening 45 minutes, he had plenty of crossing practice as Hungary sat back looking to defend their lead. Exposed on a couple of occasions on Hungary's counter-attack, but a decent night's work for the player on his 18th cap.
Finn Azaz - 6
Azaz turns 25 tomorrow and must have felt like he was about to get an early present when Jake O'Brien's cross came his direction in the 10th minute. The delivery however forced the Southampton man to stretch and the effort flashed wide.
Struggled, like many others, to make any headway in the first half, but prospered when the game opened up. The contest passed the hour mark before Ireland had their first corner, but his wicked delivery was a reminder of what an attacking weapon that can be. Went close to claiming Ireland's second goal, but his header wasn't tucked far enough into the corner and Dibusz was able to parry away.
Evan Ferguson - 7
Having made quite the impression in Serie A - Hallgrimsson described the 20-year-old as "smarter, quicker, leaner" following his loan move to Roma - Ferguson cut a frustrated figure in the opening 45 minutes.
Nearly 40 minutes passed before he had a sight at goals, while rugged centre-half Willie Orban was tracking his every move. The yellow card was most likely borne out of being on the periphery, notwithstanding a rasping shot in injury time after holding off two defenders.
However, just two minutes after the resumption and he had the crowd back in full voice. First his injection of pace stretched Hungary as they conceded a dangerous free-kick, and it was the striker who prodded home for his sixth international goal when the visitors couldn't clear their lines. For all of Ireland's endeavour, no further clearcut chances fell his way after that.
Substitutes
Jack Taylor (for Cullen 67 mins) - 6
Did little to push his claims for a starting berth. Neat and tidy, he never looked like unpicking the Hungarian defence and had little defensive issues to contend with in midfield as the visitors sat back.
Chiedozie Ogbene (for Doherty 67 mins) - 7
A hugely positive cameo role for a player who would have been disappointed not to start. Most likely used that as motivation as he was Ireland's brightest spark in the closing 20 minutes. Popping up on both wings, he proved useful in the air for the onslaught of crosses, one downward header for Azaz could, and probably should, have led to a goal. Drew a saved from Dibusz and has surely played his way into Halgrimson's starting team for Armenia on Tuesday.
Mikey Johnston (for Szmodics 78) - 6
Lively on the fringe of the action and had a shot from distance blocked down.
Adam Idah (for Azaz 78) - 7
The equalising hero. The Swansea striker hasn't always looked at ease in front of goal, but took his opportunity with aplomb to rescue the draw and keep Irish hopes alive in the group. Like Ferguson, notched his sixth goal for his country.
Kasey McAteer (for Knight 90) - NA
