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World Cup play-off reaction as Northern Ireland and Wales are beaten in their semi-finals in a disappointing night - watch highlights Wales lose to Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties after it finished 1-1 in normal time Northern Ireland lose 2-0 to Italy after two goals in the second half moves the Italians closer to their first World Cup in 12 years Republic of Ireland also beaten on penalties by Czech Republic; while elsewhere Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick as Sweden won Your reaction: 'I feel sick that objectively worse teams have qualified' | 'Heartbreak for Wales' | 'Glad Scotland avoided these play-offs' Written by Ben Ramsdale, Craig Nelson, Alastair Telfer & Huzaifah Khan. That's all from us for now as we brought you all the reaction to Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland being knocked out of the 2026 World Cup play-offs on Thursday evening. Here are the best bits from this morning: All times in BST The timing of this post may sting a bit for some, but we do have to acknowledge that, out of the home nations, England and Scotland will play at the World Cup. Less than three months now before their group games start: Scotland fixtures England fixtures Click 'Get Involved' to have your say Feel very sorry for Bellamy and Wales. They should have been playing against 10 men, possibly 9, by half-time. They played all the football. Got unlucky with the penalties. Sometimes there's no justice in football. The best team lost. John Can we just do a quiz or something? Alec, Wales Away from Europe, two teams will also qualify through the Intercontinental play-offs, which are being played in Mexico. Bolivia ended Suriname's hopes of a first ever finals appearance with a 2-1 comeback success in their semi-final. They will face Iraq for a spot in this summer's tournament. Jamaica kept alive their hopes of a first World Cup appearance since 1998 by ending New Caledonia's chances of reaching the finals for the first time. Wrexham striker Bailey Cadamarteri, the son of former Everton forward Danny, scored the only goal in a 1-0 win. Jamaica will play the Democratic Republic of Congo for a place at the World Cup. The Intercontinental play-off finals: All kick-offs 19: 45 BST World Cup Here's a reminder that the four winners of Tuesday's one-off World Cup play-off ties will make the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico: Tuesday, 31 March Italy now travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday for a place at this summer's World Cup. Having not played at the tournament since 2014, they have a great opportunity to break that duck. Italy are the highest-ranked country in the World Cup qualifying play-offs, having won the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2020. Their squad contains big Premier League names in Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sandro Tonali and Riccardo Calafiori. Do you think they will make it? Thumbs up for yes, down for no. .. World Cup We know how Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy and Czech Republic reached the play-off finals, here is a round-up of how the other five countries made it through. .. Sweden: Graham Potter's side produced a 3-1 semi-final win over Ukraine thanks to a hat-trick from Viktor Gyokeres. The Arsenal forward had not scored in 2026 qualifying before Thursday's game in Valencia, Spain, but went home with the match ball after firing in a 73rd-minute penalty to add to goals in the sixth and 51st minutes. Poland: Sweden will host Poland in a play-off final on Tuesday after goals from veteran forward Robert Lewandowski, 37, and Inter Milan's Piotr Zielinski helped the Poles come from behind in Warsaw to beat Albania 2-1 in their semi-final. Kosovo: The 78th-ranked country in the world twice came from behind to stun Slovakia 4-3 in Bratislava. Second-half goals from Florent Muslija and Kreshnik Hajrizi gave the visitors a two-goal cushion and they managed to hang on after David Strelec pulled a goal back for Slovakia in stoppage time. Turkey: Brighton full-back Ferdi Kadioglu scored the only goal of Turkey's semi-final at home to Romania to set up a trip to Kosovo on Tuesday. Denmark: Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard and Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard scored as the Danes put four past North Macedonia without replay in the second half of their semi-final after a goalless first half. Denmark face an away tie in Czech Republic in the play-off finals. Czech Republic 2-2 Republic of Ireland (4-3 on pens) Republic of Ireland The Republic of Ireland finally conceded an equaliser four minutes from time, and their Czech hosts made it through to the end of extra time level at 2-2 before winning the tie on penalties. Derby County midfielder Sammie Szmodics was introduced by Republic of Ireland in extra time, but the 30-year-old was involved in a collision with Czech Republic defender Stephan Chaloupek that left him unconscious. The 30-year-old was taken to hospital on Thursday night but discharged earlier this morning, a spokesman for the Football Association of Ireland has confirmed. "Sammie Szmodics was transferred to hospital yesterday having sustained a head injury during extra time of the play-off against Czechia, " read the statement.

"Following further tests and a period of observation, he has been safely discharged from hospital and will continue his recovery under the care of the Republic of Ireland and Derby County medical teams. " Czech Republic 2-2 Republic of Ireland (4-3 on pens) Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson speaking to RTE about his side losing grip on their play-off semi-final after going 2-0 up in the first 23 minutes, only to concede a penalty four minutes later: "All goals come at a bad time. I thought we were having control when the penalty came. It felt good. It always affects you psychologically when you concede so quickly after. "There were some chances. Most came from set-pieces. That was the game. It could have gone either way. " On consoling the players who missed penalties: "It's almost impossible. You try to talk to them and encourage them. It takes time. Our job is to wake up tomorrow and start again. " Czech Republic 2-2 Republic of Ireland (4-3 on pens) Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland defender Seamus Coleman told the RTE: "We started very well. Being away from home and going two goals up, it's very early to decide the game but we're disappointed to have let them back in. "It was a physical game. They played a lot of long balls and so did we. We could have probably put our foot on the ball more at times. We'll dust ourselves down, but it's going to take a little time. " Republic of Ireland also have the carrot of a home Euros to spur them on to qualify for the 2028 competition. Unlike in previous years, the hosts - England, Wales, Scotland and Republic of Ireland - are not guaranteed a place. But after being pipped on penalties by the Czech Republic in the World Cup play-off semi-finals, Republic of Ireland defender Seamus Coleman accepts it will take time to get over the disappointment. .. Click 'Get Involved' to have your say Well played Wales, despite the final result. Craig Bellamy has put together a well balanced and hard-working squad, despite having to draw on players from the lower leagues. We'll be back for the Euros! Nick A reminder that the Northern Ireland players now travel to Cardiff on Tuesday to take on Wales in a friendly match that neither team wanted to play. If things had been different, the game could have been a winner-takes-all tie to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. As it is, both teams will be licking their wounds. .. Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland David Healy Former Northern Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live When it was announced that there were 48 teams at this year's World Cup, we always felt there's generations - certainly me as a player and other better players than me that haven't played at a World Cup - of young supporters who haven't had the opportunity to travel and enjoy World Cups. We felt last night it was a brilliant opportunity, albeit I think we got the toughest draw, even if we had got through it was Wales or Bosnia, albeit Bosnia, unfortunately for the Welsh people, found a way to beat Wales last night. It's the hope that kills you. We felt as a country we had an opportunity last night. Probably to win the game last night we needed to be perfect in everything, perfect defensively. I think we were in large periods. The first goal was avoidable, and if there was anybody that you didn't want the ball to land to it was Sandro Tonali on the edge of the box because technically he's a great footballer. It was a great finish. We needed to be perfect in the final third. We needed our set-plays to be better and pick a better pass when we did have the minimal opportunities we did. Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill's only regret was that his side failed to take their chances to put Italy under more pressure. They managed eight efforts on the Italy goal, but only one on target in the 90 minutes. That need to be more clinical was a common theme in the post-match analysis from manager, players and pundits alike. .. Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland Aine O'Donnell BBC Newsbeat Lucy is confident she will see Northern Ireland at a World Cup in the future Northern Ireland fan Lucy Johnston met BBC

Newsbeat in Belfast to discuss Thursday night's defeat, but while she was disappointed it wasn't all doom and gloom. The country may have missed out on the 2026 tournament, Lucy says she is confident her country will qualify for a World Cup in the future. "These boys have long careers ahead of

them, and this is a starting block, " says the 21-year-old. "The opportunities these boys will have

over the next few years will be so exciting. "The crowd last night was fantastic and

these players have the full backing of the fans. That stands us in good

stead. " Lucy thinks Thursday's defeat in Italy could have had a

different outcome had Michael O'Neill's side not been without some key players

due to injuries. "Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard are

massive players for this country, " she says. "We just have to look forward to the next

campaign. " Click 'Get Involved' to have your say Gutted for Northern Ireland and Wales. Never got the breaks, feel for their fantastic support. William Mc Monagle Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland Gerry Armstrong Former Northern Ireland International on BBC One NI The dream was there for nearly an hour and we played some good football. However, we didn't create enough chances and, in the final third, we have to be more clinical. And a hero of Northern Ireland's famous 1982 World Cup squad dared to dream as the current crop made it through the first half on level terms with the four-time World Cup winners. .. Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland Gianfranco Zola Former Chelsea forward on BBC One NI The two brothers [Pierce and Shea Charles] were brilliant, both of them. A lot of quality. This national team have a very good future, they have potential and they need to keep growing and improving. When they get something more in the final third of the pitch, there will be a big improvement. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.