Ireland vs Israel on Sunday night, 4 October, finished 1-1 in the UEFA Nations League, and the draw leaves the Republic of Ireland with work to do in League B Group C. Parrott gave Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side the lead from the penalty spot before half-time. D. Peretz then levelled for Israel just after the restart. This report covers the goals, line-ups, key numbers and the group table. All match data comes from API-Football and is as reported at the time of writing.
How did Ireland vs Israel finish on Sunday night?
The match ended 1-1, and Ireland were ahead at the break. It was the fourth round of League B matches, listed as a home game for Ireland but played at the Gradski Stadion in Backa Topola, with a 7:45pm Irish time kick-off. Juan Martinez Munuera refereed.
The first half turned on a penalty. A VAR review confirmed the award on 36 minutes, and Parrott stepped up to score on 39. However, the lead lasted only eight minutes of playing time, because D. Peretz scored for Israel in the 47th minute. After that, neither side found a winner, so the points were shared.
Who scored and who was booked?
Two goals decided the scoreline: Parrott for Ireland (39 minutes, penalty) and D. Peretz for Israel (47 minutes). Israel’s goal was a normal open-play strike, and API-Football lists no assist for either goal.
Discipline was fairly light. Israel took three yellow cards, with I. Nachmias booked on 28 minutes, D. Peretz on 38 and Yarin Levi in second-half stoppage time. Ireland, meanwhile, had one booking, Scales on 44 minutes. Nobody was sent off, so both sides finished with eleven players.
What were the line-ups?
Ireland started in a 3-4-2-1 shape under Hallgrímsson, with C. Kelleher in goal. The back three was J. Dunne, J. O’Brien and L. Scales, with J. Knight and C. Coventry in the wide roles and J. Molumby and R. Manning in central midfield. J. Moylan, T. Parrott and A. Idah made up the front three.
Israel, coached by Ran Ben Shimon, lined up in a 5-4-1. A. Tzur started in goal, in front of L. Abada, I. Feingold, I. Nachmias, N. Stoinov and R. Revivo. D. Peretz, E. Peretz, E. Azoulay and O. Gloukh made up the midfield four, with D. Turgeman up front.
Changes arrived mostly after the hour. Ireland replaced Idah with R. Vata and Moylan with C. Ogbene on 69 minutes, then brought on J. Bagan for Manning and B. Lawal for Coventry on 84. Israel made five substitutions, with Gandelman, Yarin, Solomon, Dasa and Shua all coming on between the 58th and 78th minutes. In other words, Ben Shimon used his bench far earlier than Hallgrímsson did.
What do the match statistics show?
Ireland dominated the numbers, although they could not turn that into a second goal. They had 16 shots to Israel’s 10, with 10 of those inside the box, and six were blocked. Four were on target, compared with two for Israel. API-Football’s expected goals figure was 1.90 for Ireland and 1.00 for Israel, so a draw was a little less than Ireland’s chances deserved.
Possession was 55% to 45% in Ireland’s favour. Both teams completed 83% of their passes, with Ireland on 421 from 510 and Israel on 349 from 418. Corners were level at three each, and Israel committed 15 fouls to Ireland’s 13. Goalkeeper saves tell the story as well: Israel’s keeper made three, whereas Ireland’s made one. As a result, Israel can feel they took more from the game than the shot count suggests.
What does the result mean for the Nations League table?
Ireland are third in League B Group C on five points from four games. Austria lead on eight points, and Kosovo are second on five, with the same points as Ireland. Israel are bottom on two points after four games. Ireland’s record is one win, two draws and one defeat, with six goals scored and four conceded.
The table also carries labels that show what is at stake. API-Football marks Austria as the promotion place, Kosovo as the promotion play-off place and Israel as the relegation play-off place. Ireland have no label at present, which means they sit just outside the play-off position and need results to change that. Two games remain: Austria v Ireland on 14 November and Ireland v Kosovo on 17 November, per the API-Football fixture list.
How have Ireland been playing in the Nations League?
Ireland are unbeaten in their last three Nations League games, but only one of them was a win. They lost 1-0 away to Kosovo on 24 September, then won 3-0 at Israel on 27 September. A 2-2 home draw with Austria on 1 October followed, and now this 1-1 draw with Israel. Across those four games they have scored six, which is a respectable return, but they have also conceded in three of them.
The head-to-head record with Israel is positive. In the two meetings API-Football lists, Ireland won 3-0 away and drew 1-1, scoring four goals to Israel’s one. That said, Sunday showed how a single early second-half moment can undo a first-half lead, and the group is tight enough that one dropped point can change the picture.
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Quick questions about the match
Who won Ireland vs Israel?
Neither side. The Nations League game finished 1-1 on Sunday 4 October 2026, with Ireland leading 1-0 at half-time.
Who scored in Ireland vs Israel?
Parrott scored a first-half penalty for Ireland on 39 minutes, and D. Peretz equalised for Israel two minutes into the second half.
Where does Ireland vs Israel leave the group?
Ireland are on five points from four games, level with Kosovo and three behind Austria in League B Group C. Israel have two points.
What is next for Ireland?
Ireland travel to Austria on 14 November and host Kosovo on 17 November, according to API-Football’s fixture list.
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