The Republic of Eire is not going to rid their 24-year World Cup absence in 2026 after blowing a two-goal lead over the Czech Republic earlier than their heartbreak was accomplished on penalties.
It was an evening of domination then devastation for the Irish, who is not going to get to face Denmark in Dublin this Tuesday with qualification for this summer time’s FIFA jamboree at stake. As an alternative, it’s the Czechs who will play host in Prague in that all-or-nothing affair.
Eire had been main on the Fortuna Area till the 86th minute when Ladislav Krejci, the Czech captain and Wolves defender, spoiled no matter untimely celebrations might have been occurring again dwelling. That despatched us to additional time, after which to penalties, the place Alan Browne, on mortgage at Middlesbrough from Sunderland, noticed his spot-kick saved by Matej Kovar to permit Jan Kliment to ship his aspect into that showdown with the Danes.
After beating Portugal and Hungary in November to dramatically earn their place in these play-offs, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s aspect initially didn’t play as if carrying the burden of a rustic on their shoulders. Reasonably, they seized their likelihood to stir its soul by scoring twice so early on.
The Republic of Eire is not going to be at this summer time’s World Cup after blowing a two-goal lead of their play-off towards Czechia
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s aspect had been taken to penalties and missed two spot kicks by Finn Azaz and Alan Browne
First within the nineteenth minute, Nathan Collins received a penalty after the Irish captain and Vladimir Darida went for a similar ball within the field. Referee Glenn Nyberg initially ignored the collision till VAR seen Collins bought there first and was felled as Troy Parrott powered his penalty past Kovar.
Eire have endured their share of heartache in play-offs, not least that extra-time handball by Thierry Henry in 2009 which despatched France to the finals in South Africa at their expense. Collins can not recall that night time. He was eight years outdated, and may solely bear in mind spending it at a JLS live performance. The 24-year-old skipper hoped he had helped his workforce in the direction of their first World Cup since 2002 underneath Mick McCarthy.
Then within the twenty third minute, Vladimir Coufal’s hacked clearance ricocheted from the crossbar on to Kovar’s shoulder and in for an personal objective amid nook carnage after Dara O’Shea’s header again throughout into the six-yard space.
An estimated 6,000 Irish followers descended on Prague, regardless of them carrying an allocation of just one,000 or so. They had been delirious till the Czechs had been gifted a approach again into the sport when Ryan Manning inexplicably pulled Krejci’s shirt. It was blatant, and bonkers. One other penalty awarded, Patrik Schick beat Caoimhin Kelleher to make it 2-1, establishing a tense second half.
Krejci had used his pre-match press convention to insist the Czechs can be on the 2026 World Cup. ‘We are going to make it,’ he mentioned, after which within the 86th minute, he headed dwelling to stage up this semi-final, that coming as a crushing blow to the Irish.
No matter dominance had been loved by Eire beforehand had disappeared. It was now the hosts who had been on prime of their seek for a winner to keep away from this being determined by way of 12 yards.
It went to a shootout, the place Mojmir Chytil and Finn Azaz each noticed their penalties saved for both sides, however Browne was the unlucky one whose miss proved most decisive after we had been approaching sudden demise. Kliment stepped up instantly afterwards, scored confidently, and with that, there will likely be no Irish presence at this summer time’s World Cup.
