Republic of Ireland thrash Israel 3-0 in Nations League amid Gaza controversy

Football and politics are inseparable in the modern world, no matter how many wish they were not. After a week in which the issue of Irish support for the people of Gaza turned this Nations League Group 3 fixture into a battle of conscience, Heimir Hallgrimsson's side put the controversy aside to deliver a resounding 3-0 victory over Israel in Debrecen, Hungary.

The result was a walkover, just not the kind that had been feared. On the preceding Saturday, the question had been whether Ireland would even take to the field at all, and whether their heads would be in the game if they did. A week of internal angst instead produced collective resolve, with Ireland's forwards each scoring in the first half to settle the contest — and plenty of symbolic action to assure those back home of their feelings.

“It’s probably been the toughest day of my coaching career,” Hallgrimsson said afterwards. “But it’s not about me. It’s about the players and they’ve shown today how much playing for Ireland means to them. They represented themselves on the pitch with dignity but also with the power of proud Irishmen. They’ve shown today how much playing for Ireland means to them and hopefully they will have the support of the Irish people.”

A haunted, near-empty ground

The atmosphere was reminiscent of a match played during Covid. Every word uttered in the ground was audible and the near-empty stands carried their own oppressive weight. As the nominal home side, Israel were allowed a small delegation of around 150 fans doing their best to be excitable. Two blocks away were the Irish contingent — around a dozen people who got into the ground despite the Football Association of Ireland's decision not to bring an away allocation — stood hands in pockets in a stairway.

The odd, almost haunted mood was heightened by Ireland's mannered approach to the pre-match rituals. Irish staff faced away from the pitch when their national anthem was played. Ireland's players, all wearing black armbands, stared at the ground during Israel's anthem. There was no exchanging of pennants and no shaking of hands, with both squads hurried away from the centre circle into their own huddles.

Selection upheaval and a decisive first half

The game had come close to being abandoned the previous Saturday, when goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made himself unavailable for selection, his decision prompting emotional exchanges among players and management. Hallgrimsson therefore picked a team with defender Jimmy Dunne nominally a third goalkeeper, and also dropped the key forward Finn Azaz to the bench in one of five changes from the side that lost meekly to Kosovo. Azaz's mother has Israeli citizenship and the Southampton forward was reported to have made an impassioned contribution to Saturday's discussion. “Today we thought others would fit this game better than him,” Hallgrimsson said.

After all the soul-searching, Ireland decided the contest in just 11 first-half minutes. Troy Parrott opened the scoring in the 14th minute, turning home a low shot through the body of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz after impressive work on the right by wingback James Abankwah. Two minutes later the lead was doubled when, running on the shoulder of the last defender, Adam Idah collected a smart through ball from Jack Moylan and wrapped a calm finish inside Peretz's left-hand post.

In the 25th minute Moylan got a goal of his own — his fourth in as many caps — to continue a stellar start to his international career, driving 25 yards into the box before shooting low into the net. Moylan wheeled away to the corner flag, took off his black armband and kissed it.

Israel's late flurry and manager's response

Israel raised their levels momentarily in the second half, with substitute Dor Peretz drawing one excellent save from goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher. But ultimately the game deteriorated into a series of scuffles, cheered on deliriously by the Israeli support, who appeared to be chanting for the IDF as the final whistle blew.

Their manager, Ran Ben-Shimon, was asked by Israeli media after the match if he would resign following the defeat, to which he answered no. “We didn’t handle the pressure well, that is obvious, we failed mentally, we failed tactically,” Ben-Shimon said. “But in a few days there is another game; we will have to find the energy to rise again.”