Dominik Szoboszlai was photographed celebrating in a cheeky manner during Hungary’s World Cup qualifying meeting with Ireland, but he has since explained this was not taunting.
Szoboszlai rejects ‘taunting’ accusations
Szoboszlai has been receiving a lot of flack from Ireland after a picture of him celebrating Hungary’s early goal in their meeting was shared widely online.
In the photo, it looks like Szoboszlai is taunting the Ireland bench. However, he has now explained that this is not true.
“I’m not the kind of person who tries to influence what people think about me,” Szoboszlai told press at the unveiling of his waxwork model in Budapest.
“But just to make things clear, this was joking around among teammates with Andras Schafer, Barnabas Varga and Peter Szappanos.
“So now I’ve even named them. It was a bit of banter between us and I fully stand by it. I’d openly say so if it was directed at the Irish.”
?? Dominik Szoboszlai in good spirits today as his wax figure was unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Budapest.
Speaking about the national team he said the following:
?? “The national team jersey means more to me than anything. Wearing the national colours is a privilege, but… pic.twitter.com/viuTgwMvkU
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) November 18, 2025
Hungary’s night against Ireland ended in heartbreak as Troy Parrott completed his hat-trick in injury time to win 3-2 and secure the visitors’ place in the World Cup play-offs, knocking Hungary out in the process.
Szoboszlai came in for grief from Irish television pundit and former player, Kevin Doyle, who called him a “Liverpool c***” behind the scenes when celebrating their winner.
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Today’s Liverpool FC News
• Liverpool are “willing to listen” to loan offers for Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni, according to the Athletic – it is by no means certain they will leave, though
• Alexander Isak was an unused substitute on Tuesday night as Sweden drew 1-1 with Slovenia – he didn’t feature in order to avoid being suspended for their play-off semi-final in March
• Dutch outlet SoccerNews report that Liverpool are “considering a serious bid” for AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit – he is a 19-year-old technically excellent midfielder
Elsewhere in the football world today
• Curacao have become the smallest nation (150,000 people) to qualify for the World Cup – they drew 1-1 with Jamaica whose manager, Steve McClaren, subsequently resigned
• Haiti have also qualified for next summer’s 48-team tournament – and that’s without their manager, Sebastien Migne, having ever been able to visit the island (BBC Sport)
• Antony has revealed to Globo Esporte that Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany spoke to him on transfer deadline day before his £25 million move to Real Betis
Liverpool FC: On this day
On November 19, 1965 future Liverpool player and coach Gary Ablett was born.
Hailing from Aigburth in south Liverpool, Ablett played 147 times for Liverpool, winning two league titles and the FA Cup as a full-back.
Notably, he is one of the few players to have proved popular on both sides of Stanley Park, crossing to Goodison in 1992 and eventually featuring 154 times for the Blues while winning another FA Cup.
After retiring, he returned to Liverpool and became reserve team manager. He sadly passed away in 2012 aged just 46, but he will forever be known as a down-to-earth man who was one of the best full-backs of his era.
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