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Published 22:40 26 Mar 2026 GMT
Updated 22:40 26 Mar 2026 GMT

A heartbreaking night for Ireland in Prague as their World Cup dreams end with a 4-3 defeat on penalties after a 2-2 draw against Czechia.
Here are your ratings from a quite chaotic night.
In truth, not a huge amount to do in 120 minutes. Could do nothing about the first-half penalty, and made one decent save in second half. Saved one in the shootout, and got his fingers to another.
Professional performance, as you'd expect, and was pumping the crowd up from the first minute. You wouldn't think he's barely played any football in recent months.
Long throws were a danger early on, and stood firm to Czechia's aerial bombardment.
Heavily involved up the other end in the opening stages, hitting the bar with a half volley, winning the penalty and heading just wide. Otherwise solid in the backline.
A colossus for Ireland at the back and the pick of the defensive bunch. Was clever to win fouls to ease the pressure, and put his head where it hurt on many occasions.
But for a very, very silly tug for Czechia's first-half penalty, when Ireland were dominating, this would have been an 8/10. Manning's delivery, bravery and general attacking threat was superb, let down by a moment of madness that might be remembered for a while.
Kept things ticking over with Ireland enjoying more possession than expected in first half. Hit post with a lovely half volley, so close he was wheeling away to celebrate.
Booked for a professional foul in first half and rightly brought off in second to avoid risk of Ireland going down to 10.
Fantastic delivery for Collins' first-half chance, and was brave in a messy midfield third on occasion. But didn't see much of the ball and didn't get that killer pass we usually see. Penalty miss in the shootout was a good height for the goalkeeper.
Fantastic from minute one, and a constant nightmare for Czechia. Won umpteen fouls, was a general menace, and is a massive outlet for the long ball out of defence to ease pressure.
In truth, a quiet-ish night for the national hero, but his penalty shows the confidence this lad has. Despite the goalkeeper going the right way, Parrott's spot kick nestled into the corner. Some strike. Went close with a nice header late in the 90 minutes.
Perfect man for late in the game, using his experience to ease the pressure on Ireland in defence, and keeping the ball in the middle third.
Gave away a silly free-kick for Czech's second goal, and difficult to criticise players for penalty misses, but he looked nervous as he stepped up in the shootout.
Fine run was just thwarted at the death at the end of the first half of extra time. Attempted to hold the ball up but game got messy in late stages.
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