Ireland and Israel draw 1-1 behind closed doors in Serbia
Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Israel in an empty stadium in Serbia on 4 October 2026.
Troy Parrott put Ireland ahead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute. Dor Peretz equalised two minutes after half-time to leave the Nations League Group B3 game level at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola The Guardian.
There were no fans present. The fixture was Ireland’s home game but was moved from Dublin to a neutral venue in June for operational reasons, and the Football Association of Ireland said it would be played behind closed doors.
The opening goal came after a lengthy VAR check, with video officials reviewing replays. Jimmy Dunne went down under a challenge from Peretz, the penalty was given, and Parrott beat Israel goalkeeper Assaf Tzur. It continued a rich scoring run. Parrott has now scored 10 times in his last seven competitive internationals for Ireland.
Israel struck back quickly. Oscar Gloukh’s effort deflected off Liam Scales and fell into the path of Peretz, who finished to make it 1-1.
The match carried a solemn edge from the start. Ireland’s players wore black armbands and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem. Israel’s players also wore black armbands in memory of people killed in the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. Ireland’s players had said they would wear armbands in recognition of all lives lost in the Gaza conflict.
Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher captained Ireland because Dara O’Shea was excused to be with his wife for the birth of their child. Kelleher did not shake hands with Israel captain Peretz before kick-off. In the previous meeting in Debrecen, Hungary, O’Shea had declined to shake the hand of Israel captain Manor Solomon.
There were flashpoints on the pitch too. There was a clash as the teams entered the tunnel at half-time. Officials broke up a second altercation in added time, and heated words were exchanged again after the final whistle.
On the teamsheets, Solomon was dropped to the bench for Israel in Backa Topola. Sayed Abu Farchi was back in the Israel squad after suspension following his sending-off after a goal celebration in a 3-1 defeat to Austria. Finn Azaz was among Ireland’s substitutes after starting the 2-2 draw with Austria at the Aviva three days earlier, a game in which Parrott scored twice.
For supporters following from afar, the result keeps a strange double-header tied together. Ireland won the first meeting 3-0 in Debrecen with three first-half goals, their first Nations League win of the campaign, but could not find a winner second time around.
