Czechia 2-2 Republic of Ireland (4-3 pens) result - Shoot-out heartbreak as visitors' World Cup dreams ended in Prague

Matej Kovar was Czechia’s hero as he made two saves in the penalty shoot-out to end the Republic of Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Kovar, who scored an own goal early on in a thrilling 2-2 draw in Prague, made amends as he denied Finn Azaz and Alan Browne in the shoot-out, which Czechia won 4-3 as Jan Kliment hammered home the decisive spot-kick.

Czechia had to show powers of recovery to come from 2-0 down, with Troy Parrott’s penalty putting Ireland ahead in the 19th minute before Kovar bundled over his own line soon after.

Ryan Manning’s needless foul on Ladislav Krejci proved costly just three minutes later, though, as Patrik Schick slammed in the resulting penalty.

Having seen the crossbar frustrate Nathan Collins early on, Ireland were again thwarted by the woodwork when Jayson Molumby hit the post, and Czechia made their luck count when Krejci headed home in the 86th minute to force extra time.

Tomas Soucek blazed over the crossbar as penalties were required, and though Caoimhin Kelleher made the first save of the shoot-out, Ireland missed their next two penalties and saw their qualification hopes slip through their grasp, while Czechia can now look forward to a home tie with Denmark.

Joining Ireland in exiting the play-offs are Wales, who lost on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Northern Ireland, who were beaten 2-0 by Italy.

Kosovo completed a brilliant comeback to beat Slovakia, while Sweden overcame Ukraine and Poland beat Albania.

In this qualifying path, Denmark thrashed North Macedonia, and they will face Czechia in the next round.

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Klimant, only on as a sub in extra time, hammers his spot-kick beyond Kelleher, and Czechia progress in the play-offs!

Oh my word, Kovar is the Czechia hero as he pulls off another save, this time diving low to his right to deny Browne. Is this game over for the Irish?

That's more like it as Schick, who netted from the spot in normal time, slots home into the left-hand corner. It's all square at 3-3. Now, it's sudden death.

A huge chance goes begging for the Irish!

The momentum was with them, but Azaz's spot-kick is a poor one, and at a great height for Kovar to parry it away.

It's an awful penalty from Chytil, lacking any pace or direction, and Kelleher leaps gratefully onto it.

Ireland can taste victory now...

What a strike from Brady, as he bides his time before drilling a fantastic effort into the right-hand corner. Pressure back on Czechia...

After squandering that golden chance in extra time, Soucek makes amends from the spot with a composed finish, sending Kelleher the wrong way.

It's 2-1 to Ireland in the shoot-out, as Idah finds the bottom-right corner with a great penalty.

No mistake made by Czechia's captain, as Krejci follows up his earlier goal with a lovely spot-kick into the left-hand corner.

He netted one early on in normal time, and he repeats the trick here, sitting the goalkeeper down and sweeping a calm effort down the middle.

The only real chance of extra time fell to Soucek, who skewed over from close range.

Now, it's the lottery of the shoot-out... Will Ireland make Czechia pay?

That's it! After 120 minutes, it finishes all square at 2-2, and we're heading to penalties!

Browne concedes a free-kick, and now Czechia's goalkeeper will punt it forward. One more opportunity?

Plenty of pushing and shoving in the Czechia box as Brady stands over a corner. He eventually swings it in towards the back post, but the hosts clear it out for a throw-in, which O'Brien will loft into the area.

What a sad moment for Szmodics, who would have been desperate to make an impact. He has gone off on a stretcher, and will no doubt now be taken for further treatment, but he is in good hands.

Vale has come on as a replacement for the substitute, and we will have four minutes of added time.