The Republic of Ireland's hopes of reaching a first World Cup in 24 years were dashed in Prague as they lost a penalty shootout to the Czech Republic in the Nations League semi-final. Heimir Hallgrímsson's side twice held the advantage, leading 2-0 in normal time and 3-2 in the shootout, but ultimately fell short.
Troy Parrott's sixth goal of the campaign and a calamitous own goal by Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar put Ireland in control after 23 minutes. However, a needless penalty conceded by Ryan Manning allowed Patrik Schick to pull one back, and Ladislav Krejci headed an 86th-minute equaliser to force extra time.
The shootout began promisingly as Caoimhín Kelleher saved the first Czech penalty, but Finn Azaz and Alan Browne failed to convert their spot-kicks. Jan Kliment scored the decisive fifth penalty to send the Czech Republic into the final against Denmark.
"Just pain, we all feel pain," said Hallgrímsson. "When you go this far it's a flip of a coin. Just pain we feel being that close." The defeat extends Ireland's miserable record in World Cup playoffs, with five losses in six such fixtures.
