Czechia eliminated Ireland from 2026 FIFA World Cup contention after edging a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw, but a horror injury marred the late game scenes
Joseph McBride US Sports Reporter
18:40 ET, 26 Mar 2026Updated 19:06 ET, 26 Mar 2026
Ladislav Krejci tied the game for Czechia with four minutes remaining(Image: 2026 UEFA)
Ireland failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing on penalties against Czechia during the playoff semifinal, and midfielder Sammie Szmodics suffered a worrying injury before the shootout.
Jan Kliment fired Czechia to a winner-takes-all clash against Denmark, with just one FIFA World Cup spot up for grabs. Ireland led the playoff tie 2-0 after a controversial Troy Parrott penalty and Matej Kovar’s own goal, but Czechia responded with goals from Patrick Schick and Ladislav Krejci.
Neither team managed to score a winning goal in extra time, and Szmodics was brought on to take a penalty with minutes remaining before suffering a worrying injury. His absence was missed, as Finn Azaz and Alan Browne missed from the spot to end Ireland’s World Cup dreams.
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Szmodics lasted just two minutes before falling awkwardly following a challenge by Stepan Chaloupek. The injury appeared serious, as the medical staff moved him very carefully onto a stretcher, but the delay lasted approximately five minutes.
Ireland was able to use a concussion substitute, and players were extremely concerned as the midfielder was examined. Sirens were then heard in the background of the broadcast.
Initially, Ireland was in dreamland as the deadlock was broken following a controversial penalty. Ireland defender Nathan Collins appealed for a spot kick in the 14th minute following contact from Czechia midfielder Vladimir Darida, but his protests were ignored.
Sammie Szmodics suffered a worrying injury moments after coming on for Ireland(Image: DAZN)
Jake O’Brien launched a long throw into the penalty area, and Collins attempted a shot when Darida’s boot clipped him. Play continued, but was later stopped so that referee Glenn Nyberg could consult with VAR officials and check the pitchside monitor.
Nyberg concluded that Dardida caught Collins moments after the Ireland defender had made contact with the ball and pointed to the spot. Parrott then fired his penalty into the bottom left corner.
The decision instantly became a talking point, with some fans slamming the call on social media, especially as the contact was so marginal in a game of extreme magnitude. Four minutes later, Parrott was again involved as Ireland doubled the advantage.
Troy Parrott fired Ireland ahead from the penalty spot in Prague before the late collapse(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
O’Brien headed the ball across the Czechia goal following an Ireland corner, and a defensive mix-up following pressure from Parrott saw the ball cross the line. Parrott’s presence stopped veteran defender Vladimir Coufal from clearing the ball.
After the earlier controversy, Czechia was soon awarded a penalty to wrap up a chaotic opening 30 minutes. Veteran striker Patrick Schick converted from the spot to reduce the deficit to 2-1, as both nations traded early blows.
The game cooled after halftime, turning from an energetic encounter into a tense stalemate. Both teams had chances to score, but Czechia dominated the second half and eventually tied the game with just four minutes of regulation time remaining.
A free kick awarded near the corner flag was crossed into the Ireland penalty area, and Ladislav Krejci headed home from close range to force additional time. Neither team found a breakthrough in extra time. After trailing, two missed spot kicks by Ireland gave Czechia a golden opportunity, and they won the shootout 4-3.