Penalty-Shootout Defeat For Everton’s Irish Duo In World Cup Play-Off

Seamus Coleman and Jake O’Brien both started for the Republic of Ireland on Thursday evening as they suffered a penalty-shootout defeat to Czechia in Prague, ending their World Cup 2026 play-off campaign.

Elsewhere in international action, Vitalii Mykolenko’s Ukraine and Tom King’s Wales were also beaten in their play-off semi-finals.

For the Republic of Ireland, Troy Parrott’s 19^th-minute penalty struck the visitors into the lead, before Patrick Schick equalised from the spot less than 10 minutes later.

A Matej Kovar own goal saw the Irish ahead at half-time, but Czechia levelled late on when Ladislav Krejci headed home on 86 minutes.

On to spot-kicks and it was a close affair, but the hosts edged a 4-3 win.

Coleman was on for 97 minutes while O’Brien featured for the full 120 minutes. Toffees goalkeeper Mark Travers was an unused substitute. 

Mykolenko’s Ukraine were also in qualifying action but fell to a 3-1 defeat to Sweden. Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres netted a hat-trick for the Swedes.

In from the off, the Everton full-back played the full 90 minutes.

Goalkeeper King was an unused substitute as Wales were defeated 4-2 on penalties against Bosnia & Herzegovina in Cardiff. Dan James had struck the hosts into the lead during a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.