Nathan Collins calls on Ireland to build on World Cup near miss
Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins is confident his side have laid the foundations to qualify for future tournaments having seen hopes of reaching this summer’s World Cup finals come to an end.
Collins and his team-mates were agonisingly close to the play-off final when they led the Czech Republic 2-1 in Prague on Thursday evening with just four minutes of normal time remaining.
However, Czech skipper Ladislav Krejci’s late equaliser took the tie to extra time and ultimately to penalties, where the hosts prevailed 4-3 to extend Ireland’s wait for a first return to the big stage since 2002.
Asked about their progression to the play-offs, which was secured by back-to-back wins over Armenia, Portugal and Hungary, Brentford defender Collins said: “I’m not seeing many positives right now because we’re in the gutter.
“But what we’ve created, the environment created with the fans and country, has been special. That’s something we need to keep growing, to get even better at.
“That can help us get better on the pitch. We can push that and get fans to more tournaments.”
Nathan Collins (left) and head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson appear dejected following the penalty shoot-out defeat (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire)
Damian Spellman27 March 2026 13:31
Sammie Szmodics out of hospital and ‘on the mend’ in Ireland injury update
Republic of Ireland striker Sammie Szmodics has been released from hospital in Prague after being knocked unconscious during Thursday night’s World Cup play-off defeat by the Czech Republic.
The 24-year-old Ipswich frontman, who is currently on loan at Derby, was hurt in a collision with defender Stepan Chaloupek just two minutes after his introduction as an extra-time substitute at the Fortuna Arena, sparking concerned medics to rush to his aid.
Szmodics was carried from the field on a stretcher and taken straight to hospital, where Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson later revealed he would spend the night under observation.
A Football Association of Ireland spokesperson said on Friday morning: “Sammie Szmodics was transferred to hospital yesterday having sustained a head injury during extra time of the play-off against Czechia.
“Following further tests and a period of observation, he has been safely discharged from hospital and will continue his recovery under the care of the Republic of Ireland and Derby County medical teams.”
Szmodics, who Hallgrimsson confirmed would have taken a penalty in the shoot-out which Ireland ultimately lost 4-3, took to social media to express his thanks to those who had helped him.
He posted on X: “Gutted the way it ended. Fans and boys immense all evening!! Appreciate everyone’s messages. And thank you to the medical staff who acted so quickly to help me. On the mend.”
Damian Spellman27 March 2026 10:43
Sammie Szmodics ‘on the mend’ as Ireland confirm he has been discharged from hospital
The Republic of Ireland have confirmed that Sammie Szmodics has been “safely discharged from hospital” in Prague after sustaining a head injury in last night’s World Cup play-off defeat.
Szmodics, who underwent tests and a period of observation, will now fly back to Ireland and will continue his recovery. He posted on Twitter/X: “Gutted the way it ended. Fans and boys immense all evening !! Appreciate everyone’s messages. And thank you to the medical staff who acted so quickly to help me. On the mend.”
Jamie Braidwood27 March 2026 09:43
‘Only pain’ for Ireland after penalty shoot-out loss
“One word, just pain. I feel pain, I feel pride for the performance of the players,” said Heimir Hallgrimsson. “They gave it all. I feel gratitude towards the supporters who showed up and supported us the whole game, even after the loss.
“I feel pride being a part of that group, but personally – and I know the players will feel pain now, only pain, I would say.”
Hallgrimsson and his players headed home without Szmodics, who was carried off on a stretcher after being knocked unconscious within minutes of his introduction, but is expected to fly back to Ireland on Friday.
Jamie Braidwood27 March 2026 08:30
Heimir Hallgrimsson confirms Sammie Szmodics would have taken penalty
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson confirms that Sammie Szmodics was brought on in extra time with the intention of taking a penalty in the shoot-out against Czech Republic.
He replaced Jayson Molumby with five minutes remaining, only to be stretchered off after a collision with Czech player Stepan Chaloupek.
“We had a list prepared. Sammie was one of six names,” Hallgrimsson said, according to the Irish Times.
Hallgrimsson said last night that he was hopeful Szmodics, the Derby attacker, would be able to fly back to Ireland today.
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood27 March 2026 08:15
The devastating symmetry of how Wales and Ireland missed out on 2026 World Cup
Both Wales and the Republic of Ireland were minutes from hosting a World Cup play-off final on Tuesday – only for near-post headers and penalties to be their undoing
Kieran Jackson27 March 2026 08:00
Sammie Szmodics ‘knocked out cold’ in horror collision during Ireland’s World Cup playoff loss
Republic of Ireland midfielder Sammie Szmodics suffered a horror injury as he was stretchered off after being left unconscious following a heavy collision during the World Cup playoff semi-final defeat to Czech Republic.
Towards the end of extra-time in Prague, Szmodics collided with Czech player Stepan Chaloupek as they both competed in the air for a ball. Szmodics collapsed to the ground immediately and seemed to display involuntary arm movement.
Medical staff treated Szmodics on the ground for several minutes before he was moved onto a stretcher with support for his head and neck. Fans sang and applauded as Szmodics was carried off.
“He was knocked out cold,” confirmed Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson after the match. “At least he’s conscious now. He will stay here tonight.”
Hallgrimsson was hopeful that Szmodics would fly back home on Friday.
(Adam Davy/PA Wire)
Luke Baker27 March 2026 07:29
Penalty anguish ends Ireland’s World Cup dream as Czech Republic advance to play-off final
Jan Kliment fired the Czech Republic to within 90 minutes of the World Cup finals as they broke Republic of Ireland hearts in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to set up a showdown with Denmark.
Substitute Kliment scored the decisive spot-kick at the Fortuna Arena after Finn Azaz and Alan Browne had seen their efforts saved by Matej Kovar to book a clash with the Danes on Tuesday night with a trip to the United States, Canada and Mexico at stake.
Mike Jones27 March 2026 07:00
Ireland’s veteran defender Seamus Coleman said: “We started very well.
“Being away from home and going two goals up, it’s very early to decide the game but we’re disappointed to have let them back in.
“It was a physical game. They played a lot of long balls and so did we. We could have probably put our foot on the ball more at times.
“We’ll dust ourselves down, but it’s going to take a little time.”
Mike Jones27 March 2026 06:00
World Cup qualifying play-offs
Irish hearts were broken in a dramatic penalty shootout as the Czech Republic set up a showdown with Denmark for a place at next summer’s World Cup.Following a 2-2 draw, Czech substitute Jan Kliment scored the decisive spot-kick in Prague after Finn Azaz and Alan Browne had seen their efforts saved by Matej Kovar to book a clash with the Danes on Tuesday night.
Ireland, who led 2-0 after just 23 minutes to leave them dreaming of a first World Cup adventure since 2002, had come within four minutes of victory before Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci headed the hosts level.
Troy Parrott, whose hat-trick in Hungary booked their place in the play-off semi-finals, nervelessly converted a 19th-minute penalty before Kovar’s unfortunate own goal put Ireland in control but a 27th-minute spot-kick from Patrik Schick dragged the Czechs back into it before skipper Krejci’s late intervention forced extra-time and ultimately the pain of penalties.
Denmark booked their spot in the play-off final with a 4-0 win over North Macedonia in Copenhagen thanks to Gustav Isaksen scoring twice in two minutes, plus efforts from Mikkel Damsgaard and Christian Norgaard.Valiant Northern Ireland’s World Cup dreams were ended by Italy as Michael O’Neill’s young side fell to a 2-0 defeat in Bergamo after second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean, and the Italians will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place in this summer’s tournament after they overcame Wales on penalties in Cardiff.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres nabbed a hat-trick – his first goals of the World Cup qualifying campaign – in Sweden’s 3-1 win away to Ukraine, meaning Graham Potter’s side now have a final showdown against Poland, who scraped past Albania 2-1.
Kosovo – who have only been playing international football since 2014 and have never qualified for a major tournament – twice came from behind to beat Slovakia 4-3 away from home and will now host Turkey, who were 1-0 winners over Romania thanks to Ferdi Kadioglu’s goal, in Pristina on Tuesday to try and reach the US, Canada and Mexico in the summer.
Luke Baker27 March 2026 05:00