World Cup play-off semi-final: Czechia 2 Ireland 2 (Czechia won 4-3 on pens)Italia ’90 was the last time Ireland won a penalty shootout and those scenes won’t be recreated this summer after a third successive failure on spot-kicks. Read More Czechia v Ireland: World Cup road ends in despair after penalty shootout defeatHurt from this one will linger, given the commanding position Ireland squandered. Those misses would eventually sting Ireland with five minutes left. Of more concern for Ireland was Soucek ghosting in during the first period to blaze a close-range volley over the crossbar. He was stretchered off to make way for debutant Harvey Vale, the last incident before the dreaded penalties sunk Ireland.

Source: Irish Examiner March 27, 2026 10:57 UTC