'Growth' for Republic of Ireland despite Prague pain
The full gamut of emotions synonymous with do-or-die international football was on display as the Republic of Ireland's World Cup dream was left in ruins following a devastating penalty shootout defeat by the Czech Republic. The week started with feverish excitement as thousands of Irish fans - most of whom didn't have a ticket to the game - descended on Prague. On the back of a rollercoaster qualifying campaign that ended with inspiring wins over Portugal and Hungary, the supporters - Parrott costumes in tow - flooded the Czech capital with renewed belief that Heimir Hallgrimsson's team were capable of ending a 24-year wait for a World Cup return.
And for a while, Thursday's play-off semi-final at a raucous Fortuna Arena promised to eclipse the ecstatic full-time scenes in Budapest that followed Troy Parrott's last-gasp winner in November. Parrott stepped up again to give his side the lead from the spot before Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar's own goal stirred Irish dreams of a play-off final in Dublin. But from there, elation turned to frustration when Ryan Manning's foul on Czech skipper Ladislav Krejci enabled Patrik Schick to slot home a momentum-swinging penalty in a frantic first half.
With the game on a knife-edge, the visitors went close to restoring a precious two-goal cushion through Jayson Molumby and Parrott before Krejci's 86th-minute header forced extra-time. After Sammie Szmodics was taken from the field on a stretcher, following an aerial collision that left the Derby midfielder unconscious, the Irish players regained enough composure to lead 3-2 after six penalties in the shootout. But failed attempts by Finn Azaz and Alan Browne paved the way for Jan Kliment to complete a whirlwind tale of Irish heartache and send the Czechs into Tuesday's decider with Denmark.
The Republic of Ireland are no strangers to penalty pain. But unlike against Spain at the 2002 World Cup and Slovakia in the Euro 2020 play-offs, they led this game 2-0 and now must reckon with how they lost control of their destiny. "We were in a good spot," captain Nathan Collins told BBC Sport NI.
"We were playing really well. We were front-footed, creating chances, our press was working, we were hurting them on the ball. "The timing of their first goal probably affects it a bit and knocks the wind out of you.