Czech Republic beat Denmark on penalties to reach World Cup
Czech Republic players celebrate after the penalty shoot out in Prague (Michal Cizek) Michal Sadilek's penalty sent the Czech Republic to the World Cup as they beat Denmark in a shootout in Prague on Tuesday following a 2-2 draw after extra time. The Czechs will play their first World Cup since 2006, facing Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A of the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in June and July. Tomas Chory and Tomas Soucek also scored for the Czechs in their second shootout in six days, while skipper Ladislav Krejci was denied by Danish goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
For the visitors, Christian Eriksen was the only shootout scorer while Rasmus Hojlund hit the crossbar, Anders Dreyer failed to beat goalkeeper Matej Kovar and Mathias Jensen fired over the crossbar. "I'm speechless. Hats off to everyone, I'm incredibly happy," Krejci told Czech state television.
"Let's be honest, we were not the better team but we showed more heart and we fought harder," added the Wolverhampton defender. "I had teary eyes, just a bit. I'm terribly happy and I want to thank the players," Czech coach Miroslav Koubek told reporters.
"We suffered today. We played the best we could," added the 74-year-old former goalkeeper. On the chilly night in Prague, Pavel Sulc opened the score for the Czechs with a fine volley into the top corner three minutes into the game after the Danish defence had cleared a corner in his direction.
Denmark levelled in the 72nd minute when Mikkel Damsgaard's free kick found Joachim Andersen in the box ready with a glancing header. Krejci put the hosts ahead again in the 100th minute as he picked up a ball knocked down by Soucek in a goalmouth scramble following Vladimir Coufal's cross. His shot was deflected into the net by Danish defender Alexander Bah.