Czech Republic End 20-Year World Cup Exile with Shootout Stunner over Denmark

Czech Republic are going to the World Cup after a 2-2 draw with Denmark spilled into a 3-1 shootout win in Prague, ending a 20-year exile from the tournament and exploding the epet ARENA on Tuesday night.

I. Hašek trusted his 3-4-2-1 to survive without the ball and Pavel Šulc rewarded him immediately, scoring in the 3rd minute to force J. Jensen’s side to chase for the remaining 117. Denmark kept the ball, 77 percent possession across 120 minutes, yet the Czechs clogged the central lanes with Ladislav Krejčí dropping from the back line into midfield whenever Tomáš Souček stepped out. That early goal set the tone: long spells of Danish recycling against a disciplined red wall.

Victor Nelsson’s yellow card in the 21st minute epitomised the Danish frustration and J. Jensen reacted at the hour mark, sending on Christian Nørgaard for the booked centre-back to add tempo from deep. Mikkel Damsgaard began to dictate off the left half-space and finally prised the hosts open, threading the pass for Joachim Andersen to level in the 72nd minute just after Christian Eriksen replaced Victor Froholdt. It felt like the dam had burst, only for Matěj Kovář to keep Rasmus Højlund out with a string of saves.

Extra time brought chaos. Hašek had already introduced Mojmír Chytil at 68 minutes and Tomáš Chorý at 91 to keep his front line fresh, and the gamble paid off when Krejčí surged forward to restore the lead in the 100th minute. Even that was not enough. Andersen, already on a booking after his 105+1 yellow card, threw caution forward alongside Anders Dreyer on the right. Dreyer supplied the cross and Kasper Høgh, sent on at 106 minutes, equalised in the 111th minute to drag the tie all the way.

Penalty composure decided it. The Czechs converted three of their four attempts—Hermansen saved Ladislav Krejčí’s kick—while Denmark found the net only once in four, leaving the shootout at 3-1. Kovář’s five saves in open play had already earned him cult status; the calmness from the spot sealed it.

Tactically this was a triumph of structure over possession. Hašek’s back three, anchored by Štěpán Chaloupek and Robin Hranáč either side of Krejčí, clogged the central channels and forced Denmark wide, where Vladimír Coufal and Jaroslav Zelený doubled up relentlessly despite Zelený collecting a yellow card at 45+1. Souček’s tireless screening allowed the Czechs to survive with just 286 passes to Denmark’s 997. On the opposite bench Jensen’s 4-2-3-1 produced territory and chances, particularly once Eriksen and Dreyer joined Damsgaard between the lines, yet the lack of incision before extra time left the Danes exposed to the Czech capacity to suffer.

Key figures carried the narrative. Šulc’s opener altered the psychology from minute three. Krejčí not only scored but won seven of ten duels, embodying Sparta Stadion’s heartbeat. Souček’s three tackles plus the hidden running alongside Vladimír Darida, then Lukáš Červ after the 60th-minute swap, kept the midfield compact. For Denmark, Andersen was everywhere, scoring, contesting 21 duels, and still the one to take responsibility in extra time. Damsgaard’s five key passes underline why Jensen kept him on until the 115th-minute switch for Mathias Jensen. Højlund never stopped asking questions yet left with nothing but bruises for his efforts.

Key stats

• Shots: Czech Republic 9, Denmark 22
• On target: Czech Republic 4, Denmark 8
• Possession: Czech Republic 23 percent, Denmark 77 percent
• Corners: Czech Republic 7, Denmark 4
• Saves: Matěj Kovář 5, Mads Hermansen 2

The Czechs now await the World Cup draw with belief restored, while Denmark must regroup before the summer’s UEFA window, their margin for error gone after this play-off defeat. For more on the European qualifiers see Sweden vs Poland and Kosovo vs Türkiye. Updates on Hašek’s plans for the build-up will follow once the federation locks the friendly schedule.