Czech Republic defeats Ireland in penalty shootout to reach Denmark play-off final
In Path D of the European World Cup qualifiers, an exciting semi-final pitted two countries against each other, both having appeared only once on the worlds grandest football tournament in the last hundred years.
Maybe inspired by their thrilling victory against Hungary in the closing group match, Ireland started the game with more energy. Captain Nathan Collins had a deflected effort strike the crossbar, then nodded wide from Finn Azazs follow-up corner kick.
Their strong opening paid off when official Glenn Nyberg awarded a penalty after Vladimir Darida was punished for striking Collins raised boot inside the penalty area. Troy Parrott slotted the kick beyond Matej Kovar, even though the Czech goalkeeper guessed correctly and dived that direction.
Irish supporters on the road erupted once more shortly afterwards, when Ryan Mannings set-piece led to chaos in the six-yard box, culminating in Vladimir Coufals botched block ricocheting off the frame and Kovar before going in.
Yet, the lively opening period delivered yet another surprise as Manning was called for hauling down Ladislav Krejci in the area, earning a clear-cut spot-kick. Patrik Schick dispatched it confidently from 12 yards, beating an off-balance Caoimhin Kelleher to cut the gap in half before the break.
Jayson Molumby nearly boosted Irelands advantage soon after the interval, his strike from distance rattling the upright, though the home team dominated the pressure.
Miroslav Koubeks squad adopted a straightforward tactic to level the score, with Krejcis nod from Coufals precise delivery tipped away by Kelleher.
Luckily for the Irish, the Czech side found it hard to gain traction, and Heimir Hallgrimssons squad posed a risk of sealing qualification, but Kovar reacted sharply to deflect Parrotts effort from Dara OSheas aerial pass.
The counter-attack arrived, though from the Czechs. Krejci, freshly appointed as national team leader days prior, celebrated a landmark moment with a deft near-post header off Michal Sadileks inswinger, forcing the match into added time.
Momentum fully shifted to Koubeks group, and Tomas Soucek missed a golden chance to flip the script, firing over from close range on Adam Karabecs supply. Tension mounted for Ireland until a video assistant review ruled Molumbys block of Schicks attempt occurred outside the box.
Alarming moments unfolded near the end of extra time as Sammie Szmodics was carried off on a stretcher following a heavy clash with Stepan Chaloupek. A shootout followed, featuring one stop apiece before Kovar blocked Alan Brownes attempt, and Jan Kliment converted the winner for a 4-3 triumph that propelled the hosts forward.
The Czechs now anticipate facing Denmark on Tuesday, where success would mark their first global representation since the squad starring Petr Cech, Tomas Rosicky, and Pavel Nedved two decades back.