Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson says his side feel “just pain” after their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification bid ended with a defeat away to Czechia that was “not a good football match”.
Matej Kovar denied Finn Azaz and Alan Browne in a shootout as the hosts, who had recovered from two goals behind to draw 2-2 after extra time at the Fortuna Arena, advanced to a one-legged play-off final away to Denmark.
“It is almost impossible,” said Heimir Hallgrimsson, who was appointed in July 2024, speaking to RTE Sport about his words to Azaz and Browne.
“You try to talk to them, encourage them. But it is just pain. We all feel just pain now. It takes time.”
Analysis: Czechia vs Ireland ‘never under control’
Troy Parrott’s 19th-minute penalty and Kovar’s own goal put Ireland 2-0 ahead after 23 minutes, but Patrik Schick replied with a penalty in the 27th minute when Ryan Manning was adjudged to have fouled Ladislav Krejci.
After Jayson Molumby shot against a post for the visitors during the second half, Krejci then headed the equaliser four minutes from time.
“There were a lot of emotions in the game,” reflected Hallgrimsson. “Neither team got a grip on it.
“The match was never under control, either for us or them. It was long balls, crosses, set-pieces, duels. That is how the game was decided, in these moments.
“We talked about trying to take control of game, to play more on the ground. I thought we were having control when that penalty came.
“We felt good and it always affects you psychologically when you concede so quickly after. When you go this far, it is up to luck or a flip of a coin.”
Why Ireland fans are ‘magical’
Hallgrimsson and Parrott praised the travelling fans. “It’s just unbelievable, the people we have supporting us,” said the Icelander.
“Just to feel the love at the end of the game even though we lost was, for me, magical, seeing it as a foreigner.
“I just want to give thanks to all of those who that travelled here and supported us, not only now but throughout the whole journey. I don’t want to forget that because this was special for me to see.
“This team we played today… [are] really good playing here, higher than us in the FIFA rankings and we are playing away.
“We can be proud of the players we have and we just need to continue building on.”
Parrott told Ireland’s followers to “stick with us”. “We felt the support all week,” said the prolific AZ striker.
“We knew how much it meant to everyone. I’m just really, really gutted that we couldn’t do it for everyone who was supporting us.
“It’s times like this when I’m so, so happy where I come from. We just said in the changing room that now is the time to stick together as a group because we have some really good players.
“It really takes a lot of nerve to step up there and take a [penalty], so there’ll be no blame from me or my team-mates.
“I respect them even more for stepping up in that situation and taking a penalty. They didn’t have to – they could have said no, they could have said they didn’t want to.
“I’m proud of the team that I’m a part of and I’m proud of every Irish person that supported us as well.”
Parrott, Krejci, Adam Idah, Tomas Soucek and Robbie Brady all converted in the shootout before Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved from Mojmir Chytil to put Ireland in front, only for Kovar’s saves and successful attempts by Schick and Jan Kliment to send Czechia through.
Czechia team vs Ireland
Czechia starting XI: Matej Kovar, Vladimir Coufal, Tomas Holes, Robin Hranac, Ladislav Krejci, David Jurasek, Vladimir Darida, Tomas Chory, Lukas Provod, Pavel Sulc, Patrik Schick
Czechia substitutes: Lukas Hornicek, Martin Jedlicka, Stepan Chaloupek, Martin Vitik, Adam Karabec, Jan Kliment, Lukas Cerv, Mojmir Chytil, Michal Sadilek, Jaroslav Zeleny, Denis Visinsky, Tomas Soucek
Ireland team vs Czechia
Ireland starting XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Seamus Coleman, Ryan Manning, Dara O’Shea, Jake O’Brien, Jayson Molumby, Troy Parrott, Finn Azaz, Jack Taylor, Chiedozie Ogbene, Nathan Collins
Ireland substitutes: Mark Travers, Josh Keeley, John Egan, Jimmy Dunne, Robbie Brady, James Abankwah, Jason Knight, Alan Browne, Harvey Vale, Adam Idah, Johnny Kenny, Sammie Szmodics
When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start?
The World Cup starts with a meeting between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on June 11 (20:00 BST).
