Solomon: Israel is ten times better than Ireland

Manor Solomon said he is holding back on what he really thinks of Ireland's players, for fear of a ban.

"Of course they hate us, and we don't like them," the Israel captain said. "During the match they were talking a load of nonsense, I don't want to dwell on them. If I said what I actually think of them, I would probably be banned for several games, so I'd rather stay quiet. I'm already looking forward to the next match against them — it will be completely different. As for their conduct during the anthem... they don't interest me. Our country is ten times better than theirs — stronger, an outstanding country with wonderful people. We are proud to wear the national shirt and to be Israelis. We are proud of our country and our soldiers. Let them do what they want — we are Israelis who love our country, and that will always be the case."

Ireland won the Nations League fixture in Hungary 3:0. Troy Parrott opened the scoring on 13 minutes, Adam Idah added a second three minutes later, and Jack Moylan made it three on 25. Israel had 64% of possession and four shots on target to Ireland's three, but could not find a way through.

Neither side shook hands before kick-off, and Ireland's players bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem. The captains, Solomon and Dara O'Shea, did not exchange pennants either. Uefa had already rejected an FAI request to keep the two countries apart in the draw, and the build-up to the tie had been coloured by Ireland's reluctance to face Israel at all given the war in Gaza.

The defeat leaves Israel bottom of their Nations League group with no points from two matches; Ireland sit third with three points, with Sheva, Murphy and McCabe among their scorers this campaign. The two sides meet again on 4 October, a fixture Solomon says he is already anticipating.

A fuller breakdown of the match is available at /en/football/event/israel-republic-of-ireland-6987-2026-09-27_6625868/.