Adam Idah was the hero as his 90th-minute header completed a dramatic comeback for the Republic of Ireland, rescuing a valuable point in their opening FIFA World Cup qualifier against Hungary at the Aviva Stadium.

After trailing by two goals at the break following early strikes from Barnabás Varga and Roland Sallai, a relentless second-half performance was rewarded with goals from Evan Ferguson and Idah to secure a deserved 2-2 draw.

Republic of Ireland Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson signalled his attacking intent from the start, naming a front three of Evan Ferguson, Sammie Szmodics, and Finn Azaz.

However, it was Hungary who struck first, opening the scoring in the 2nd minute when Varga latched onto a pass over the top of the Irish backline, evaded the attention of Dara O’Shea, and fired a low effort past Caoimhín Kelleher at his near post. Ireland sought an immediate response, with Azaz steering a chance just wide before a long-range effort from Szmodics failed to trouble the Hungarian keeper.

The visitors then doubled their advantage in the 15th minute when Roland Sallai met a Dominik Szoboszlai corner at the near post, directing a firm header past the outstretched Kelleher.

Ireland finished the half strongly, with Matt Doherty seeing a deflected volley go wide before Kelleher was called into action to make a crucial block to deny Sallai a third. Just before the break, Evan Ferguson had Ireland's best chance, nodding the ball past the defence only to be denied by a fine save from Dénes Dibusz.

Ireland got the start to the second half they craved, pulling a goal back in the 48th minute. Ryan Manning’s goal-bound free-kick was parried by Dibusz, and when the ball was recycled back into the box, Nathan Collins’ header fell for Ferguson to steer home at the back post.

The game's complexion changed entirely in the 53rd minute when Sallai was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on O'Shea. From there, it was one-way traffic as Ireland laid siege to the Hungarian goal. Kelleher was required to make one more excellent save to deny Ádám Bolla, but the action was predominantly at the other end.

Manning saw a header drift just wide before his inswinging cross clipped the crossbar, and Collins headed narrowly over from the resulting phase of play. Dibusz then produced a spectacular double save, first stretching to deny Azaz from close range before stopping Chiedozie Ogbene’s point-blank half-volley on the line.

Just as it seemed the equaliser would not come, Adam Idah rose highest in the 90th minute to meet a pinpoint Ryan Manning cross, powering a header past Dibusz to send the Aviva Stadium into raptures. Ireland continued to press for a winner but were ultimately forced to settle for a hard-earned point.

Ireland will now continue their World Cup qualification campaign on Tuesday with a trip to Yerevan to face Armenia.

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher (GK); O'Brien, Collins (C), O'Shea; Doherty (Ogbene 66), Knight (McAteer 90), Cullen (Taylor 66), Manning; Azaz (Idah 78), Szmodics (Johnston 78); Ferguson.
Subs not used: Bazunu (GK), Travers (GK), Dunne, Phillips, Scales, Lawal, Kenny.

Hungary: Dibusz (GK); Szalai, Orbán, Négo; Bolla (Mocsi 67), Styles, A. Tóth (Ötvös 54), Kerkez (Nagy 79); Szoboszlai (C), Sallai; Varga (B.Tóth 79).
Subs not used: Tóth (GK), Szappanos (GK), Osváth, Szalai, Vitális, Gruber, Dárdai, Lukács, Nagy.

Referee: Harm Osmers (GER)

Booked: Szoboszlai (HUN), Ferguson (IRL), Szalai (HUN), Dibusz (HUN)
Sent Off: Sallai (HUN)

Sky Player of the Match: Caoimhín Kelleher

Attendance: 50,137