Troy Parrott scored twice but the Republic of Ireland were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw after Austria came back in the second half of their Nations League encounter at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

The contest was twice interrupted in the opening 45 minutes, first due to what campaign group Stop the Game later referred to in a statement as a “limited tennis ball protest”, when – around the 20th minute – tennis balls wrapped in stickers featuring the Palestinian flag and the text ‘#StopTheGame’ were launched onto the pitch.

The match paused a second time when an invader carrying what appeared to be a Palestine flag entered the pitch and was promptly tackled and carried off by security.

The protests came after Ireland’s decision not to boycott their game against Israel last week – although goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu did make himself unavailable.

Ireland are due to face Israel again on Sunday.

Before the protests, Parrott scored a sensational 12th-minute opener, and then added a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

A pair of substitutes proved Ireland’s undoing after Alexander Prass halved the deficit in the 71st minute and Michael Gregoritsch drew the sides level six minutes later.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men had a chance to top Group B3 with a victory, but they sit third behind Austria and Kosovo at the halfway point of the group stage.

Hallgrimsson made three changes, including the reintroduction of Finn Azaz, who was greeted warmly when his name was announced over the PA system before the match.

Bazunu was back in the squad, while Liam Scales and John Egan were awarded starts.

There was a significant security and police presence outside the stadium, where a small group of protesters also gathered before kick-off.

There was an audacious early effort from Sasa Kalajdzic, who tried to catch Caoimhin Kelleher off his line with a lob from midfield, before Ireland enjoyed a couple of attacking spells deep in the visitors’ half.

It was a brilliant opener from Parrott, who realised he was on his own after bringing down Adam Idah’s glanced-on header from a goal kick.

The Real Betis striker was sandwiched in a triangle of white shirts, before nutmegging Philipp Lienhardt and evading every other challenger with a mazy run before planting the ball past Florian Wiegele and into the bottom corner.

Kelleher denied Patrick Wimmer and there were a few more promising spells for Austria before Parrott doubled their lead.

Ryan Manning won the penalty after he was clipped in the box by Nicolas Seiwald. Parrott stepped up after a VAR check and blasted it past the Austria ‘keeper.

Austria cut the deficit after Liam Kitching was caught out and Austria worked the ball to the unmarked Prass, who blasted the ball beyond Kelleher. The offside flag was initially raised, but the decision was reversed after a VAR check.

The Brentford goalkeeper then failed to stop Gregoritsch’s free-kick as Ralf Rangnick’s side fought back for a point.

Ireland captain Dara O’Shea was denied by an excellent leaping Wiegele save, Gregoritsch directed a shot over the crossbar and both sides fended off attempts at a late winner.

Bunny Shaw and a dramatic last-gasp decision from the referee ensured Manchester City took a point off Real Madrid with a 1-1 draw in the Women’s Champions League.

Standout Linda Caicedo had given Real the lead in the first half but City improved after the interval and Shaw levelled with an equally expert finish across the goalkeeper to put the league-phase clash in the balance.

Shaw headed over and Yui Hasegawa volleyed wide for the hosts before Ayaka Yamashita had to pull off an excellent stop to deny Irune Dorado as both sides pushed for a winner.

Silvia Cristobal thought she had clinched it in the 89th minute for Real Madrid with a wonderful finish into the top corner – but referee Silvia Gasperotti had whistled to stop play after inadvertently blocking Beth Mead from reaching the ball.

Real Madrid’s players and coaching staff were furious and appealed for the goal to stand but ultimately this closely fought contest ended in a draw – the same result City achieved in their opening game away to Bayern Munich last week.

They will now turn their attention to this weekend’s Women’s Super League clash with Arsenal, live on Sky Sports, while Real prepare to face Barcelona.

Sunday 4th October 4:15pm


Kick off 4:30pm

Jeglertz: A lot of noise but players are very calm

Man City boss Andree Jeglertz:

“Of course there is a lot of noise outside but the players are very calm. There are no discussions, no thoughts from us [about the Premier League investigation].

“I haven’t seen or noticed anything which would take any percentage out of the players’ performance.”

Real Madrid protest disallowed goal

As it happened…

10: OFF THE BAR! Alex Greenwood clips an excellent free-kick from out wide into the Real Madrid six-yard box where Mary Fowler meets it – but sends her header against the bar!

21: BIG SAVE! Ayaka Yamashita rushes out to close down Felicia Schroder as she spins and shoots close to goal.

29: GOAL! Linda Caicedo runs around the outside of Laura Blindkilde Brown down the right and then is allowed too much space in the box by Greenwood before clipping her shot inside the far post.

40: CHANCE! Shaw shows good hold-up play in the box before laying off for Yui Hasegawa to shoot – and Maelle Lakrar bravely heads the powerfully hit effort away.

51: GOAL! Bunny Shaw hauls City level with a sharp finish across the keeper after Hasegawa does really well to turn the ball over in midfield.

62: OVER! It looks like a great chance for Shaw to add a second from Lauren Hemp’s cross – but her header sends the ball over the bar.

75: OFF TARGET! A Greenwood corner comes out to Hasegawa just inside the area… but for the second time in the game she sends a volley wastefully wide!

77: SAVE! Another excellent stop from Yamashita, who gets a hand to Irune Dorado’s shot.

89: BALL IN THE BACK OF THE NET…BUT NO GOAL! Real Madrid are fuming! Silvia Cristobal picked out the top corner and thought she had scored, but the whistle had already gone because referee Silvia Gasperotti had inadvertently blocked Mead, preventing her from getting to the ball.

Shaw pleased with second-half improvement from City

Man City’s Bunny Shaw to Disney+:

“We started the second half much better than how we started the first half and that’s something we’re going to look on as a team.

“We’re disappointed we didn’t win the game but definitely [showed] fight at the end and that’s good as well.”

Analysis: City stay focused for hard-fought draw

Sky Sports News’ Ben Ransom at City Football Academy:

“A hard-fought draw for City in their first home game back in this competition. There were a lot of distractions for everyone connected to the club in the build-up but it didn’t show in their performance.

“An excellent strike from either side with moments of quality and it gives both teams something to build on from here.

“Big games await for both this weekend – City hosting Arsenal at the Etihad while Real Madrid go to Barcelona.”