LIAM SCALES suffered World Cup heartache as Republic of Ireland crashed out of the tournament after losing 4-3 in a dramatic penalty-kick shoot-out to Czechia in Prague last night.
The Celtic defender had to watch from the sidelines as he missed the crucial encounter through a one-game suspension.
Johnny Kenny also sat out the action as an unused substitute. They saw their team-mates race to a two-goal lead through Troy Parrott (pen) and Matej Kovar (og), but the hosts pulled one back with a Patrick Schick spot-kick.
With only four minutes to go, Ladislav Krejci headed in a corner-kick to force extra-time which ended goalless to force a penalty-kick shoot-out decider.
HAPPIER TIMES…Liam Scales after Republic of Ireland’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Portugal in Dublin in November.
Finn Azaz and Alan Browne missed from 12 yards while former Hoops frontman Adam Idah, a late substitute, converted one of the three Irish spot-kicks.
Caoimhin Kelleher saved from Mojmír Chytil, but Czechia converted their four other efforts and will now play Denmark, who overcame North Macedonia 4-0 in their semi-final in Copenhagen.
Craig Bellamy’s Wales also toppled out of competition when they lost on penalty-kicks to Bosnia and Herzegovina following a 1-1 draw at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Dan James put the home team ahead with a stunning strike seven minutes after the interval, but former Manchester City hitman Edin Dzeko equalised late on to take the game into an added half-hour and then spot-kicks.
Bosnia won 4-2 after Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams missed and will now face Italy, who beat Northern Ireland 2-0.
Celtic’s top scorer Benjamin Nygren, who has claimed 19 goals in his debut Hoops campaign, set up the first of Viktor Gyokores’ hat-trick as Sweden defeated Ukraine 3-1 in Valencia and will now play Poland, who beat Albania 2-1 with legendary marksman Robert Lewandowski on target.
The European play-offs will take place on Tuesday evening.
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