Michal Sadilek of Czechia is tackled by Seamus Coleman of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Czechia and Republic of Ireland at Fortuna Arena on March 26, 2026 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo by Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images)placeholder image
Michal Sadilek of Czechia is tackled by Seamus Coleman of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Czechia and Republic of Ireland at Fortuna Arena on March 26, 2026 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo by Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Republic of Ireland fell to a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to the Czech Republic and their World Cup dreams were shattered.
Seamus Coleman and Jake O’Brien suffered heartbreak as the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup hopes were ended via a penalty shootout.
Eire threw away a two-goal lead as they were held to a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic after extra-time in the play-off semi-final A Troy Parrot penalty and an own goal from Matej Kovar had the Boys in Green in dreamland after just 23 minutes in Prague.
But the Czech Republic netted a spot-kick of their own four minutes later and dug deep to equalise in the 86th minute. Neither side could find a goal in extra-time so it went to penalties. Finn Azaz and Alan Brown missed for the Republic, with the home side winning the shootout 4-3.
The loss meant that the Boys in Green missed a chance to qualify for the World Cup since 2002. The Ireland players were crestfallen after the loss, including Coleman. The Eire and Everton captain has dreamed about captaining his country at the biggest tournament of them all.
Coleman has been plagued by injury issues over the past few years. He suffered a hamstring problem in November during the Toffees’ 1-0 win at Manchester United, which sidelined him for a prolonged period. The 37-year-old made his first appearance in four months against the Czech Republic and it embodied what he has shown throughout his career. Coleman managed to feature for 96 minutes before being withdrawn.
And the Irish media were left in awe of the right-back’s performance. RTE gave Coleman a 8/10 player rating and said: “Immense, save for the fateful moment when he was beaten to the near post cross, in which Ladislav Krejci turned home the equaliser. “Otherwise, a towering presence under the barrage of crosses that rained over from the Czechs in the second half. In scenes reminiscent of Richard Dunne in Moscow in 2011, won one aerial tussle with Schick and drove out of defence, winning a free in the process.”
The Irish Examiner handed Coleman a 7/10 mark and described him as a ‘warrior’. It said: “One of several whose lack of club action was a pre-match concern but he worked non-stop down the right flank before eventually departing in extra time. Warrior.”
The Irish Times agreed with the 7/10 score and commented: “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”
Balls.ie also dished out a 7/10 mark and said: “Coleman was a real leader at the back for Ireland, including a key intervention top stop a quality chance for Schick just before the interval.
“He battled throughout the game, hardly looking like a player who has barely kicked a ball in five months. Did amazingly well to last until the fifth minute of extra-time.”
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