Ireland overcomes controversy to defeat Israel 3-0 in Nations League

Ireland scored three goals in the first half to cruise to a 3-0 victory over Israel in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday, following a turbulent period for the team marked by controversy over playing the match and the withdrawal of goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu from the squad.

Ireland is among the most vocal European critics of Israel's war in Gaza, and protests calling for a boycott of the match led Bazunu to announce he would not participate. The game only went ahead after a majority of Irish players voted in favor of playing.

Shlomi Barzel, spokesperson for the Israel Football Association, said on Saturday that "football has won" after the players decided to play despite calls for a boycott.

Bazunu's withdrawal prompted coach Heimir Hallgrímsson to name defender Jimmy Dunne as one of the backup goalkeepers. The Football Association of Ireland also faced sharp criticism from fans and political figures, with many accusing it of failing to provide players with sufficient guidance.

With Israel's home matches being played in Debrecen, Hungary's second-largest city, the match took place in a subdued atmosphere reminiscent of the late stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, when attendance restrictions left stadiums largely empty.

There were only a few hundred Israeli supporters and a handful of Irish fans in the stadium, and the coaches' and players' voices could be clearly heard throughout the game.

Irish players wore black armbands in mourning for all those killed in the conflict and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem. There was no exchange of small flags or pre-match handshakes.

Striker Troy Parrott opened the scoring in the 14th minute, before Adam Idah doubled the lead two minutes later, and Jack Moylan added a superb third goal in the 25th minute.