Hallgrimsson devastated by Irish loss

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said all he could feel was pain as he admitted it was impossible to console his players after the World Cup play-off penalty shootout loss to Czechia at the Fortuna Arena.

The Boys in Green let a two-goal lead slip in 90 minutes and were ahead in the shootout, only for Finn Azaz and Alan Browne to see their spot-kicks saved.

The Irish boss told RTÉ Sport how he was immediately feeling at the end of the campaign: "Just pain. We only feel pain. When you go this far, obviously it is up to luck or a flip of a coin. So it's just pain that we feel obviously, being that close.

"It was not a good football match. The match was never under control, either for us or them. It was long ball, crosses, setpieces, duels. That is how the game was decided, in these moments.

"We talked about trying to take control of game, to play more on the ground. There were a lot of emotions in the game. Neither team got a grip on it."

The concession of a penalty shortly after Ireland went two goals up, through a foul by Ryan Manning, was undoubtedly a turning point.

Hallgrimsson rued the moment: "All goals you concede come at a bad time. I thought we were having control when that penalty came. We felt good and it always affects psychologically you when you concede so quickly after.

"Most of chances in the match came from setpieces. That was the game. It could have gone either way."

He confirmed the Irish penalty takers were among six or seven players chosen for a shootout in the run-up to the match.

Azaz and Browne were obviously dejected after the shootout, with their manager knowing his words will proven little consolation.

"It is almost impossible. You try to talk to them, encourage them. But it is just pain.

"We all feel just pain now. It takes time. Our job is to wake up tomorrow and start again.

"That is the only thing we can do now. That’s what we’re here for."

One positive on the night was the atmosphere created by the Irish supporters, who journeyed to Prague in their thousands.

The manager paid tribute to their efforts and the "magical" experience for him: "It's just unbelievable the people we have supporting us and just to feel the love at the end of the game even though we lost. It was, for me, magical, seeing it as a foreigner.

"I just want to give thanks to all of those who that travelled here and supported us, not only now but throughout the whole journey. I don't want to forget that because this was special for me to see."

Ireland will play North Macedonia in a friendly on Tuesday and will begin life looking to qualify for Euro 2028, a tournament in which they will be co-hosts.

Hallgrimsson said the hurtful feelings of Prague must be used to motivate the players going forward: "This is a journey. There will always be setbacks in every journey. A journey to success is never a straight line. This is obviously a painful setback.

"But we feel this team we have played today hasn't lost at home for a very, very long time. They're really good playing here, higher than us on the FIFA ranking, and we are playing away. So overall, I think we can be proud of the players we have, and we just need to continue building on."

It was confirmed that Sammie Szmodics has regained consciousness after being knocked out in a collision in extra-time.

The Derby County attacker will remain in Prague tonight and fly home tomorrow.

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