Republic of Ireland's World Cup hopes were dashed in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against the Czech Republic at the Fortuna Arena, with substitute Jan Kliment scoring the decisive spot-kick to send the hosts through to a final play-off against Denmark.
Ireland had taken a stunning 2-0 lead within the first 23 minutes, with Troy Parrott converting a 19th-minute penalty before an unfortunate own goal from Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar doubled the advantage. However, Patrik Schick pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 27th minute, and Ladislav Krejci headed the equaliser with just four minutes remaining in regular time.
Extra time failed to separate the sides, and the match went to penalties. Finn Azaz and Alan Browne saw their efforts saved by Kovar, while the Czechs converted four of their five spot-kicks, with Kliment scoring the winner to seal a 4-3 shoot-out victory.
Ireland had come agonisingly close to reaching their first World Cup since 2002, but the cruel nature of the shoot-out left them heartbroken. There were also worrying scenes in extra time when Sammie Szmodics collided with a Czech substitute and was carried off on a stretcher.
