Football · International
Czechia end twenty-year World Cup wait in shootout
Denmark twice draws level before Czechia wins the playoff on penalties.
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Czechia returned to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2006 after defeating Denmark 3-1 on penalties in Prague. The playoff finished 2-2 after extra time, with Miroslav Koubek overseeing qualification in only his second match as coach.
Pavel Šulc gave the hosts an early lead, but Joachim Andersen headed Denmark level from a Mikkel Damsgaard free kick. Ladislav Krejčí restored Czechia's advantage in extra time before Kasper Høgh equalised again to force the shootout.
Goalkeeper Matěj Kovář saved Anders Dreyer's penalty, while Rasmus Højlund struck the bar and Mathias Jensen missed. Czechia claimed the final place in World Cup Group A, joining co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and Korea Republic.
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