Prague – Ladislav Krejčí, newly appointed captain of the Czech Republic national team, expressed immense pride and optimism following his team’s dramatic victory over the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup playoff semifinal. The Czechs prevailed after a 2-2 draw and a nail-biting penalty shootout, setting up a crucial showdown with Denmark on Tuesday. Krejčí, who scored a late equalizer and successfully converted his penalty in the shootout, believes the team’s resilience will serve them well as they pursue a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
The match in Prague was a rollercoaster of emotions for the home fans at the Eden Arena. Ireland took an early lead, going up by two goals, but the Czech Republic refused to surrender. “We wanted to decide it in extra time, but it didn’t happen, so we managed it as a team in the penalties,” Krejčí said after the match, as reported by Czech Television. “Both the players and Kovy (Matěj Kovář) in goal did a great job. Hopefully, this will give us a boost for the next match. It’s definitely a positive wave.”
Kovář, the Czech goalkeeper, proved to be the hero in the penalty shootout, saving two crucial attempts. The victory wasn’t just about the shootout, however. Krejčí played a pivotal role in the comeback, earning a penalty that Patrik Schick converted in the 27th minute to narrow the deficit to 2-1. Then, in the 86th minute, Krejčí rose to meet a free kick from Michal Sadílek, heading the ball past the Irish goalkeeper to level the score and force the match into extra time. It was his fourth goal for the national team.
Reflecting on his goals, Krejčí described the first as a fortunate outcome of a tactical move. “Before our first goal, I was trying to flick the ball backwards and luckily the opponent caught me on the jersey,” he explained. He was less certain about the second, admitting, “The second goal? A great ball to the near post and I headed it back across goal. I don’t even recognize if it deflected off an Irishman into the net, or if it went straight in. I don’t know anymore, it was all a blur.”
Krejčí acknowledged the mental fortitude required during a penalty shootout. “A penalty shootout is a matter of luck, but also concentration at that moment,” he said. “We believed in ourselves, but I’m sure the confidence was also high on the other side.” The Wolverhampton defender emphasized the team’s unwavering spirit throughout the match, even when facing adversity.
The match was physically demanding, Krejčí noted. “Very combative, a lot of running. A tough first twenty minutes, we didn’t get into it the way we wanted. New system, new things, it takes a whereas. But then we showed fight, heart,” he said. “Things might not always go according to plan, but the fight until the last minute was there. We managed to equalize at the end of regulation time.”
Despite the elation of reaching the final, Krejčí stressed that the job is only half done. “We’re only halfway through the playoff now. It starts all over again in Denmark,” he cautioned. “But it’s important that the fight took us to the finish line. That’s important to remember in the next match.”
The upcoming match against Denmark presents a significant challenge. Denmark is widely considered the favorite, but the Czech Republic will be buoyed by their recent performance and the leadership of Krejčí. According to Sport.cz, the match at Letná Stadium is nearly sold out, with only a limited number of tickets remaining as of Friday afternoon. Denmark has been allocated approximately 900 tickets for their supporters.
This victory marks a significant moment for Krejčí, who is experiencing his first taste of captaincy for the national team. His performance and leadership have instilled confidence in the squad as they prepare for the high-stakes encounter with Denmark. The Czech Republic will be aiming for their first World Cup appearance since 2006, and Krejčí is determined to lead them there.
The Czech Republic and Denmark will face off on Tuesday, March 30th, at 20:45 local time (20:45 CET, 14:45 EDT) at Letná Stadium in Prague. The winner will secure a coveted spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This article will be updated with further information as it becomes available.
