Sammie Szmodics was taken to hospital after being 'knocked out cold' during Ireland's World Cup qualifying loss to Czechia. The forward was substituted on in the closing minutes of extra-time but was withdrawn just five minutes later following a severe collision with Stepan Chaloupek.
Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed Szmodics would remain in Prague overnight. 'The last thing we heard he was conscious so he was knocked out cold. At least he is conscious now and he will stay here tonight and fly home hopefully tomorrow,' he told RTE Sport.
Ireland suffered penalty heartbreak in the Czech capital as Jan Kliment converted the decisive spot-kick after Finn Azaz and Alan Browne had their attempts saved. The match finished 2-2 after extra-time, with the Czechs recovering from two goals down.
Hallgrimsson said: 'Just pain. We only feel pain. When you go this far, obviously it is up to luck or a flip of a coin. It was not a good football match. The match was never under control, either for us or them. It was long ball, crosses, set-pieces, duels. That is how the game was decided.'
Ireland conceded a penalty shortly after going two goals up, a turning point. 'All goals you concede come at a bad time. I thought we were having control when that penalty came. It always affects you psychologically when you concede so quickly,' added Hallgrimsson.
Wales and Northern Ireland also suffered playoff heartbreak on Thursday night, with Wales losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties and Northern Ireland defeated by Italy.
