Czech Republic 2-2 Ireland [aet; 4-3 on pens]: Azaz and Browne miss penalties to end World Cup dream | OneFootball

Ireland’s dreams of a first World Cup appearance since 2002 came to a heartbreaking end in Prague on Thursday, as the Czech Republic claimed a dramatic penalty shootout win in the play-off semi-final.

Troy Parrott’s penalty effort and a Matej Kovář own goal gave Ireland a comfortable lead with 23 minutes on the clock at Prague’s Fortuna Arena, though the hosts were able to halve the deficit when Ryan Manning’s shirt pull allowed Patrick Schick to ripple the back of the net from 12 yards out.

Despite a nervy second half performance, Ireland looked to be holding on – until Czech captain Ladislav Krecji nodded home a late equaliser, forcing a period of extra time and eventual penalties. Finn Azaz and Alan Browne both missed their efforts, bringing Ireland’s play-off campaign to an end.

The Czech Republic will face Denmark in Prague on Tuesday, with the winner progressing to join Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A at this summer’s World Cup.

As it happened

Ireland’s allocation in Prague was a little over 1,000 tickets, but as Amhrán na bhFiann rang around the Fortuna Arena, it quickly became apparent that far more had managed to secure seats across the stadium – and there were thousands packing out bars in the city centre, too.

And they’d have been pleased with what they saw from an Ireland side chasing their first appearance at a World Cup since 2002, as Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men pushed forward well in the early stages, with Chiedozie Ogbene winning a corner before Nathan Collins saw his deflected strike rattle the crossbar from the edge of the box, nodding wide of the post from the resulting corner.

Ireland’s breakthrough came with just 15 minutes on the clock in the Czech Republic, as Vladimir Derida was judged to have fouled Collins as they both battled for the ball inside the penalty area. Following a pitchside review, a penalty was awarded – and Troy Parrott thumped it past Matej Kovář from 12 yards out.

Understandably, the boisterous Irish travelling crowd were in dreamland, and the celebrations intensified just minutes later when a Ryan Manning corner from the right caused chaos inside the box. Vladimir Coufal’s header shook the underside of the bar, dropping onto the shoulder of Kovář and eventually trickling over the line to double Ireland’s lead.

Despite having taken a deserved two-goal lead inside the opening half hour, it wouldn’t all be plain sailing for the visitors. Manning, having been instrumental in Ireland’s second goal, conceded a needless foul as he tugged on Ladislav Krecji’s shirt, allowing Patrick Schick to end his five-game goal drought for the national team from the penalty spot.

Finn Azaz could have restored Ireland’s cushion just before the break after getting past his man on the edge of the box and unleashing a curling strike towards goal, although it was held with ease by Kovář.

The Czech Republic emerged from the break as the stronger of the two sides, keen to deny Ireland a historic night in Europe, but Schick was unable to drag his side level with seven minutes played as his headed effort was tipped over the woodwork by Caoimhin Kelleher.

The visitors knew what was at stake and responded well with Jayson Molumby striking the post from range after a half-cleared cross fell to the West Brom midfielder, but it proved to be a rare second-half chance for the Boys in Green who were forced to absorb constant waves of pressure from an increasingly desperate Czech side.

Ireland’s travelling support were certainly in for a nervy end to the contest, and while Dara O’Shea attempted to calm their nerves by flicking a long throw on towards Parrott, the goalscorer couldn’t complete his brace and saw his header palmed wide of the post by Kovář.

And it was a squandered chance that swiftly came back to bite Hallgrímsson’s men, who conceded an agonising late equaliser with just five minutes of regulation time remaining. Ladislav Krecji – named as the Czech captain just days ago – rose highest inside the box to turn home Michal Sadilek’s cross with the back of his head, forcing an extra thirty minutes to be played.

Thursday’s hosts felt they should have been awarded a penalty towards the end of the first period of extra time when a Schick effort from outside the box struck both of Molumby’s arms, though Ireland’s blushes were spared by VAR, who opted not to award a spot-kick.

Parrott’s attempt to send Adam Idah beyond the Czech defence was in vain, too, with the 25-year-old Swansea man denied by a sliding challenge from Stepan Chaloupek.

There was serious concern amongst the travelling supporters when substitute Sammie Szmodics required medical treatment on the touchline after seemingly being knocked unconscious in an aerial collision just minutes after being introduced ahead of a potential penalty shootout. Unable to continue, the Derby County forward was stretchered off the pitch and replaced by debutant Harvey Vale.

Ireland survived a remarkable late wave of pressure from the hosts inside the final seconds of stoppage time, forcing a penalty shootout in front of the Czech fans. Having scored their opening three spot-kicks, Ireland were buoyed when Mojmír Chytil’s tame effort was kept out by Kelleher – but Azaz then saw his shot blocked too, as did Alan Browne.

The Czech Republic will face Denmark – who cruised past North Macedonia – in Prague on Tuesday, with the winner of that clash earning a spot in Group A at this summer’s World Cup. They will face South Korea on Matchday 1, before going on to meet South Africa and co-hosts Mexico.