Penalty Heartache For Both Ireland And Wales In World Cup Play Off

Denis Devlin Scottish Correspondent

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Ireland’s dream of reaching the World Cup finals in the USA for the first time in nearly 24 years was cruelly ended by the Czech Republic, who won 4-3 on penalties at the end of an incident-packed play-off semi-final in Prague.

Northern Ireland who we’re soundly beaten by Italy and Wales are out of the FIFA World Cup after the Welsh suffered a similar fate to Ireland after they led their play-off semi-final before succumbing to a late equaliser then eventually losing 4-2 on spot-kicks against Bosnia.

The Czech Republic will now host Denmark in Tuesday’s play-off final whilst the Republic of Ireland are at home in a friendly against North Macedonia at the same time.

Interestingly by the time the 2030 FIFA World Cup comes around it will be nearly 28 years since the Republic of Ireland qualified for the tournament and tonight they had a golden opportunity to join England and Scotland in the USA but we’re pegged back with less than five minutes left to play before succumbing to defeat in penalties.

After Finn Azaz and Alan Browne had shootout efforts saved, Czech Republic forward Jan Kliment fired the decisive kick past Caoimhin Kelleher to break Irish hearts and send the hosts into Tuesday’s play-off final against Denmark.

The Republic of Ireland had briefly been in the driving seat as Troy Parrott’s penalty and Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar’s own goal put Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side two up after 23 minutes.

However, the hosts hit back quickly through Patrik Schick, who converted emphatically from the spot after Ryan Manning’s foul on Czech captain Ladislav Krejci.

While the Irish looked comfortable for large spells in the second half and nearly restored their two-goal led when Jayson Molumby struck a post, Krejci marked the first game of his captaincy with an 86th-minute header to force extra time.

In the shootout, Parrott, Krejci, Adam Idah, Tomas Soucek and Robbie Brady all scored before Kelleher’s save from Mojmir Chytil raised hopes of an Irish win.

But after Kovar denied Azaz and Browne either side of Schick’s successful attempt, Kliment blasted home to send Fortuna Arena into raptures and leave the Irish players devastated.

Wales suffered the agony of missing out on a second successive major tournament on penalties as they lost their World Cup semi-final at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina following a shootout in Cardiff.

Craig Bellamy’s side had looked on course to set up a play-off final against Italy as they led 1-0 in the second half, only to concede a late equaliser before losing on penalties, as they did to Poland exactly two years earlier in their Euro 2024 play-off final.

Wales controlled a cagey first half, dominating possession and coming closest to an opening goal as Harry Wilson’s beautiful bending effort cannoned off the post.

The home side took the lead in spectacular fashion six minutes after the restart, Daniel James latching on to a wayward backpass and smashing a swerving 25-yard strike into the roof of the net.

James then hit the crossbar as the game opened up, while Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow produced a save for the ages to claw away a goalbound header from Ermedin Demirovic.

Bosnia grew in confidence and had chances to equalise before their 40-year-old captain, former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, headed in from a corner in the 86th minute to send the game into added time.

Both teams looked exhausted in extra time, unable to create any opportunities of note, with Bosnia trying everything they could to run down the clock and force penalties.

Darlow denied Demirovic again from the first spot-kick, while Wilson, Haris Tabakovic, Mark Harris and Ivan Basic all scored before Brennan Johnson skied his to make it 2-2 after three penalties each.

Amir Hadziahmetovic converted Bosnia’s next penalty and Neco Williams saw his saved by Nikola Vasilj, handing Kerim Alajbegovic the chance to clinch victory as he sent Darlow the wrong way.

Bosnia will now host Italy on Tuesday for a place at this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Wales, meanwhile, will return to Cardiff City Stadium on the same night for a match that nobody wants, a friendly against Northern Ireland, who lost Thursday’s other semi-final to Italy.

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