Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford)
Guessed the right way for Chytil’s penalty in the shootout. Was beaten at his near post for the equaliser near the end of normal time. Did well to push a dropping header over his crossbar early in the second half. Rating: 7
Séamus Coleman (Everton)
Read the danger brilliantly near the end of the first half with a tackle to deny Schick a close-range shot. Offered a steadying presence on the right. Was replaced by Dunne in extra-time. Rating: 7
Jake O’Brien (Everton)
O’Brien, Collins and O’Shea are growing ever more comfortable as the bricks in Ireland’s central defensive wall – though nobody picked up Krejci for the late equaliser. Rating: 7
’It’s really hard to take’: Ireland’s penalty heartbreak after early dominance
Nathan Collins (Brentford)
Set out with the clear intent to lead by example and hit a rasping shot off the Czech woodwork in the seventh minute. Collins also won Ireland’s early penalty, Darida kicking the Ireland captain’s foot. Rating: 8
Ireland’s Nathan Collins with Štěpán Chaloupek of the Czech Republic at the Fortuna Arena, Prague. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town)
Physically mixed it with the home strikers and cut out the danger on several occasions. Did superbly to nod Manning’s deep corner back across the face of the goal, causing panic in the Czech defence and leading to an own goal. Rating: 8
Ryan Manning (Southampton)
Needlessly tugged Krejci to concede a penalty that handed the home side a lifeline just moments after Ireland had gone 2-0 ahead. His left-footed deliveries caused problems for the Czechs though, including his corner for Ireland’s second goal. Rating: 6
Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United)
Started like a train with his marauding raids down the right flank setting the tone for Ireland. Celebrated winning an early corner as if he’d just scored. Was a thorn in the side of the hosts all night. Worked his socks off. Rating: 8
Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town)
Started at midfield in place of the injured Josh Cullen but he struggled to stamp his influence on the game. Picked up a yellow card in the 21st minute and was replaced in the second half. Rating: 6
Ireland’s Jayson Molumby and Czech Republic’s Pavel Šulc. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion)
Struck the post with a wonderful right-footed effort early in the second half. In the absence of Cullen, tried to be Ireland’s defensive anchor in the middle of the field by covering space and marshalling Czech runs. Rating: 7
Finn Azaz (Southampton)
His impact really grew as the game developed and he was involved in much of Ireland’s positive creative play. Missed his penalty though, Ireland’s fourth, at a stage in the shootout when the visitors had the chance to take command. Rating: 7
Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar)
He displayed huge composure from the penalty spot not once but twice. Almost netted a winner late on only for Kovar to push the Dubliner’s header outside the post. Held the ball well throughout. Rating: 8
Ireland’s Robbie Brady with Adam Karabec of the Czech Republic. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Substitutes
Alan Browne and Robbie Brady were first in off the bench midway through the second half – replacing Manning and Taylor, who were both on yellow cards. Was into extra-time before Ireland introduced more fresh legs, Adam Idah and Jimmy Dunne coming on. Idah and Brady both netted in the shootout, but Browne missed. Rating: 6
Manager: Heimir Hallgrímsson
Ireland started the game on the front foot. Their aggression and positivity really upset the home side. The selection of Taylor didn’t really work but Hallgrímsson’s side were at the pitch of the game before their opponents. The Czechs adapted at the break though, made changes and were the better team in the second half. Rating: 7