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The Republic of Ireland will not rid their 24-year World Cup absence in 2026 after blowing a two-goal lead over the Czech Republic before their heartbreak was completed on penalties.
It was a night of domination then devastation for the Irish, who will not get to face Denmark in Dublin this Tuesday with qualification for this summer’s FIFA jamboree at stake. Instead, it is the Czechs who will play host in Prague in that all-or-nothing affair.
Ireland were leading at the Fortuna Arena until the 86th minute when Ladislav Krejci, the Czech captain and Wolves defender, spoiled whatever premature celebrations may have been occurring back home. That sent us to extra time, and then to penalties, where Alan Browne, on loan at Middlesbrough from Sunderland, saw his spot-kick saved by Matej Kovar to allow Jan Kliment to send his side 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 side initially did not play as if carrying the weight of a country on their shoulders. Rather, they seized their chance to stir its soul by scoring twice so early on.
First in the 19th minute, Nathan Collins won a penalty after the Irish captain and Vladimir Darida went for the same ball in the box. Referee Glenn Nyberg initially ignored the collision until VAR noticed Collins got there first and was felled as Troy Parrott powered his penalty beyond Kovar.
Ireland have endured their share of heartache in play-offs, not least that extra-time handball by Thierry Henry in 2009 which sent France to the finals in South Africa at their expense. Collins cannot recall that night. He was eight years old, and can only remember spending it at a JLS concert. The 24-year-old skipper hoped he had helped his team towards their first World Cup since 2002 under Mick McCarthy.
The Republic of Ireland will not be at this summer’s World Cup after blowing a two-goal lead in their play-off against Czechia
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side were taken to penalties and missed two spot kicks through Finn Azaz and Alan Browne
Then in the 23rd minute, Vladimir Coufal’s hacked clearance ricocheted from the crossbar on to Kovar’s shoulder and in for an own goal amid corner carnage after Dara O’Shea’s header back across into the six-yard area.
An estimated 6,000 Irish fans descended on Prague, despite them carrying an allocation of only 1,000 or so. They were delirious until the Czechs were gifted a way back into the game when Ryan Manning inexplicably pulled Krejci’s shirt. It was blatant, and bonkers. Another penalty awarded, Patrik Schick beat Caoimhin Kelleher to make it 2-1, setting up a tense second half.
Krejci had used his pre-match press conference to insist the Czechs would be at the 2026 World Cup. ‘We will make it,’ he said, and then in the 86th minute, he headed home to level up this semi-final, that coming as a crushing blow to the Irish.
Whatever dominance had been enjoyed by Ireland previously had disappeared. It was now the hosts who were on top in their search for a winner to avoid this being decided via 12 yards.
It went to a shootout, where Mojmir Chytil and Finn Azaz both saw their penalties saved for each side, but Browne was the unfortunate one whose miss proved most decisive when we were approaching sudden death. Kliment stepped up immediately afterwards, scored confidently, and with that, there will be no Irish presence at this summer’s World Cup.
