Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai experienced a profound disappointment after Hungary’s dramatic defeat to the Republic of Ireland. This loss eliminated Hungary from contention for the World Cup qualifying playoffs on November 16, 2025. While Szoboszlai struggled to cope with the fallout, a former player voiced criticism against him following the match.
Kevin Doyle’s Controversial Remarks
Kevin Doyle, a retired striker for the Republic of Ireland, targeted Szoboszlai in an off-camera rant. Doyle, known for his time with Wolves and Reading, was celebrating Ireland’s last-minute victory when he directed an expletive-laden comment at the Liverpool player. The 42-year-old made the comment while appearing on RTE Sports, stating, “Suck on that you Liverpool c*,” before apologizing to Didi Hamann, another pundit present.
Match Highlights
- Match Date: November 16, 2025
- Outcome: Republic of Ireland 3 – 2 Hungary
- Key Player: Troy Parrott scored a hat trick, including the decisive goal in the 96th minute.
- Hungary’s Goals: Dominik Szoboszlai assisted in the opening goal.
- Qualification Scenario: Hungary missed out on playoff qualification due to this defeat.
Emotions Run High
After the match, Szoboszlai was visibly upset, reflecting on the crushing defeat and the missed opportunity to qualify. In his post-match interview, he struggled to articulate his feelings, simply stating, “Very much,” when asked about his sorrow.
On the other hand, Parrott expressed his joy and disbelief after the win. During an interview, he said, “This is why we love football because things like this can happen.” Parrott’s emotional reaction underscored the significance of the victory for the Irish team.
As Szoboszlai copes with disappointment, Doyle’s remarks serve as a reminder of the pressure athletes face in high-stakes matches. The fallout from this match not only affected these players emotionally but also highlighted the intense rivalry and passion present in international football.
El-Balad will continue to monitor the aftermath of this event and its impact on both Szoboszlai and the Republic of Ireland team as they prepare for future challenges.
