World Cup play-off: Czechia 2 Ireland 2 (Czechia win 4-3 in a penalty shootout)For Irish eyes, the Child of Prague bore tears of sorrow not joy as dreams of a first World Cup finals appearance since 2002 ended, a night when Ireland’s resistance was broken in a penalty shoot-out by Czech persistence. After a dramatic draw over 90 minutes, Czechia having been saved by a late, late goal from their captain Ladislav Krejci, a World Cup tussle came down to penalties but the record built up by Caoimhín Kelleher was outdone by his rival, PSV ’keeper Matej Kovar who made two saves, to deny Finn Azaz and Alan Browne, leaving veteran Jan Kliment with the decisive kick that punts the Czechs into a date at home to Denmark.

Source: Irish Independent March 27, 2026 00:53 UTC