Republic of Ireland midfielder Jack Taylor said the hosts' gameplan worked out perfectly as they shocked Portugal in an "overdue" landmark victory in Dublin.
Heimir Hallgrimsson's side revived their campaign in stunningly unexpected fashion with a 2-0 win over the world's fifth ranked nation, Troy Parrott's first half brace sending the Lansdowne Road crowd into delirium.
It was a memorable first home competitive start for Taylor, who was previously named in the starting XI for the disaster in Armenia which appeared to have mortally wounded Ireland's hopes of World Cup qualification.
Taylor said that Ireland had set themselves up to exploit Portugal's high line, putting aerial balls in behind, a plan whose potential was clearly apparent from the moment Caoimhin Kelleher sprayed a quick, long kick-out for the run of Finn Azaz down the right flank in the first 10 minutes.
"It was an incredible night and I think it was well overdue especially to do it in a packed Aviva," Taylor told RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue last night.
"We knew the strengths and weaknesses they had as a squad. The gameplan played out perfectly from us today, especially in the first half.
"We caught them quick on the counter-attack where they were vulnerable with their high line. And the boys up top were connected so well together so everything clicked on the night. All credit to the lads on how we dug in. I think we got what we deserved."
The win arrived in the absence of the injured Evan Ferguson, who had scored in each of his last four competitive games at the Aviva Stadium.
However, Parrott, in excellent form with AZ Alkmaar, showcased the new confidence he has discovered in the Eredivisie and delivered by a distance his biggest performance in the green jersey.
"He's (Parrott) been chomping at the bit for his minutes," Taylor said.
"We all know we've got three great strikers at the minute. I'm glad for Troy and thank God he put two in the net today."
Liam Scales, chosen at left back in place of the suspended Ryan Manning, was centrally involved in the first goal, meeting a corner at the back post and arrowing a header back into the six yard box for Parrott to turn it home.
Troy Parrott ignites the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying hopes with this goal after a great assist from Liam Scales.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 13, 2025
📺 Watch on @RTE2 and https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7
📻 Listen on @RTERadio1
📱 Live updates https://t.co/TgtjK2dsDN pic.twitter.com/TsymFMfgRz
The Celtic defender said it was a set-piece that had been choreographed in training - even if he waited until the match itself to get it right.
"We'd been working on me getting free at the back post and getting the ball back across all week in training. And I hadn't put one back in the right area. They were almost about to take me off that role.
"But I said I'd do it on the day and luckily I did. And Troy was brilliant, he's always in the right place at the right time, like a good striker."
Scales, who operated as a left back at Shamrock Rovers before his move to Celtic, hailed the performance of the three centre-backs, with Dara O'Shea, Nathan Collins and Jake O'Brien delivering a stirring defensive display on the edge of the penalty area.
"Everything that went into our box seemed to be headed away. We didn't give them much. I felt we had the better chances and that was down to being solid defensively.
"It's in our hands and that's what we wanted at the end of this game. If we were given this position before kick-off, we'd have taken it so it's great to be in our hands."
Watch Hungary v Republic of Ireland in World Cup qualifying on Sunday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
