Wales and Republic of Ireland suffer heartbreaking penalty shootout defeats as Northern Ireland’s World Cup dream also comes to an end
The World Cup hopes of eight European nations have been ended after Thursday’s play-off semi-finals.
Wales and Northern Ireland were flying the flag for the Home Nations as they looked to join England and Scotland in North America.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland travelled to Prague to face the Czech Republic after their dramatic win over Hungary in November.
Elsewhere, the likes of Turkey, Sweden and Denmark were also in action across Europe in a bid to take a step closer to the World Cup.
Here is how they all fared on a pulsating night of play-off action which included penalty shootouts and dramatic comebacks.
Welsh agony again
Wales thought they had booked their place in a play-off final after Daniel James’ second half strike against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
However, Edin Dzeko snatched a dramatic equaliser four minutes from time to send the match to extra-time.
Both sides had chances to take the lead during a back-and-forth additional period in Cardiff but neither could break the deadlock.
Despite Karl Darlow saving Bosnia’s first spot-kick from Ermedin Demirovic, Wales were beaten from 12 yards.
Brennan Johnson’s wild effort sailed over the crossbar before Neco Williams saw his penalty saved by Nikola Vasilj.
It means Bosnia will now take on Italy for a place in the finals on Tuesday as they aim to qualify for a second time.
Wales had been hoping to reach back-to-back World Cups for the first time ever.
Heartbreak in Bergamo
Italy will travel to Bosnia on Tuesday after they beat Northern Ireland in their semi-final meeting.
The Italians kept their hopes of ending their 12-year World Cup absence alive on a tense night in Bergamo.
Michael O’Neill’s young Northern Irish side showed plenty of fight as they produced a spirited display against the four-time world champions.
However, Sandro Tonali finally broke the deadlock just before the hour mark with a perfectly-taken half-volley from the edge of the box.
His strike was followed by a second from Moise Kean to all but end any hopes of a comeback for the Green and White Army.
It means Northern Ireland have missed out on qualifying for a first World Cup since 1986 once again.
Irish despair from 12 yards
As for the Republic of Ireland, it was yet more penalty heartache.
The Boys in Green raced into a two-goal lead away in the Czech capital as Troy Parrott scored from the penalty spot after just 19 minutes.
His effort came shortly before an own goal from Matej Kovar in the home side’s goal.
Their 2-0 lead lasted just four minutes, though, with Patrick Schick pulling one back from 12 yards.
The Republic of Ireland then conceded just seconds after Dzeko had levelled things up in Cardiff as Ladislav Krejci completed the Czech comeback.
Krejci’s equaliser sent the match to extra-time, which failed to provide a winning goal as the match progressed to penalties.
Similarly to Wales, the Republic of Ireland had the advantage in their shootout after Caoimhin Kelleher saved from Mojmir Chytil.
However, his heroics were followed by more from Kovar as he denied both Finn Azaz and Alan Browne before Jan Kliment stepped up to win the shootout.
The Czech Republic will now host Denmark in Prague on Tuesday after their 4-0 win over North Macedonia in path D.
A win over Denmark would secure Miroslav Koubek’s side their first World Cup appearance since 2006.
Vik of the bunch
Elsewhere, Viktor Gyokeres’ hat-trick fired Sweden to a 3-1 victory against Ukraine.
The two sides met in Valencia for a place in the play-off final against either Poland or Albania.
Sweden will now host the former on Tuesday after they came from behind to win thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski.
Meanwhile, Turkey beat Romania earlier in the night as they eye a first World Cup appearance since finishing third in 2002.
Their win sets up a showpiece clash with Kosovo in Pristina after they twice came from behind to win away against Slovakia.
Kosovo have never qualified for the World Cup and are only competing in their third qualifying campaign for the tournament.
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