Troy Parrott scores twice in first half to keep Ireland’s hopes of reaching next tournament⁣ alive with a famous victory.

Ireland‌ have stunned portugal 2-0 to keep their narrow path to next year’s World ⁢Cup⁤ open⁤ and make ​the Nations ⁢League winners wait to book an automatic spot on a night where their captain Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off.

Ireland, who have not qualified for a major tournament in a decade and last reached a World Cup​ in 2002, ⁣needed at least a draw on​ Thursday to keep‌ their qualification hopes alive, and a first half Troy Parrott double ⁤capped their best performance in‌ years.

They still need a win in Budapest ⁢on Sunday to claim a spot in next March’s playoffs after second-placed Hungary won 1-0 in Armenia. A draw at home to⁣ bottom-placed Armenia is likely the most portugal need to secure automatic qualification.

But they ⁣will have to do it without Ronaldo, whose initial yellow card for lashing out with an elbow to the back of Ireland ​defender Dara‌ O’shea was upgraded after review⁢ to his first-ever red card for Portugal​ in his 226th appearance.

Portugal, who were moments away from securing⁣ their seventh successive World⁤ Cup appearance a month ago before a stoppage-time Hungarian equaliser in Lisbon, fell behind on 17 minutes after Liam Scales headed a fizzed-in corner back across goal and Parrott could not miss.

Well worth the lead,⁢ Ireland went inches from doubling it when Chiedozie Ogbene struck the post with a fine effort before in-form ⁤AZ Alkmaar striker Parrott found the bottom corner with a brilliant finish from‌ a similar distance just before the break.

Ireland,who defended gallantly in the reverse‌ fixture before going down to a late goal,did not require a repeat once Ronaldo received his marching ⁢orders on the hour,sarcastically clapping the delighted home fans as ⁢he departed.

Portugal,who are assured at least a playoff spot,are two points clear of Hungary at the top of‌ Group F with a superior ⁤goal difference.