Republic of Ireland were beaten 4-2 on penalties by Slovakia after a goalless game in Bratislava.
Ireland will not be heading to EURO2020 after the heartbreaking defeat to the hosts.
The boys in green placed a lot of pressure on the hosts in the first quarter, but were unable to break through with scores level after half an hour.
With the playing surface breaking up beneath the feet, both sets of players found it difficult to maintain their footing and produce many opportunities.
Take a shot everytime a Slovakia player slips #SVKIRL
— Ciara (@IrishLaurinah) October 8, 2020
Although both sides managed to build a couple of chances, it was Ireland that looked more deadly on attack after 30 minutes. James McClean missed with a good shot late in the half that almost put Ireland in the lead.
James McClean has to do better there #SVKIRL
— Daniel Noble (@DanielNobleSJ) October 8, 2020
Not to jinx anything but Slovakia are no great shakes going forward from that first ‘40. Not much for Duffy, Egan etc to deal with it #SVKIRL
— Raf Diallo (@RafDLeitrim) October 8, 2020
Darren Randolph was solid in goals for the visitors, stopping a late shot from Ondrej Duda in the first half to keep scores level at halftime.
Nice one Darren Randolph 🙌🏽#SLOIRL #SVKIRL #COYBIG #RTEsoccer
— The Safe Red (@thesafered) October 8, 2020
Phew! Thank you, Darren Randolph! #SVKIRL
— Katrina Nolan ☘️ (@KatrinaWilson16) October 8, 2020
Slovakia made the only shot on target in the first half, although Ireland's six attempts would provide some hope to the visitors with the amount of pressure that they were placing on the hosts.
Just 40 minutes left til the trademark Duffy header. #SVKIRL #COYBIG
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) October 8, 2020
The second half started with Ireland putting a load of pressure on their hosts.
There were a few moments of controversy early in the second, most notably when Slovakian goalkeeper Marek Ródak hitting Shane Duffy in the side of the head when fisting the ball out from a corner.
Surely the keeper has to show a little bit of responsibility towards Duffy there? Bizarre that a punch to the temples can go unpunished #SVKIRL
— Stephen Keegan (@MacAodhagainS) October 8, 2020
Beyond me how that ain’t a penalty on Duffy? Keeper just punches him in the head when Duffy heads it first?🤯 #SVKIRL
— Jay🇾🇪 (@Coozy933) October 8, 2020
Alan Browne had the best shot for Ireland on the 7oth minute of the game with a power shot that was pushed behind the posts by 'keeper Ródak.
Kenny's men put together a number of passes, but were unable to transfer their positive play into points.
It doesn’t get any easier watching regardless of what style we’re playing! #nervous #COYBIG 😬
— Kevin Kilbane (@kdkilbane77) October 8, 2020
With just under 20 minutes left in the second half, an Irish mistake in the box almost led to a gift of a goal for Slovakia.
Duffy on the goal line saved the visitors, and kept the game scoreless into the final ten minutes.
This man = Hero.
76' | What a block! Chances coming at both ends, it's getting tense [0-0]#SVKIRL | #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/gVRf897Rba— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 8, 2020
What a stop. Phew. #COYBIG
— Simon Delaney (@SimonDelaneyEsq) October 8, 2020
With time running out on the clock, it looked as if Ireland were certain to get the first goal of the game, as Callum Robinson had drawn Ródak out of goal before passing back to Conor Hourihane.
Hourihane sent the ball goal-wards, but would only find a Slovak defender who cleared the ball out for a rebound , which ultimately found Ródak off an Irish header.
The paperwork can wait but my nerves may not hold #COYBIG #SLOIRL. It’s a tense as a vote in Leinster House that could trigger a General Election pic.twitter.com/cME11DZHFk
— Senator Mark Daly (@SenatorMarkDaly) October 8, 2020
Neither side were able to find the back of the net in normal time. With a number of chances for each side, extra time promised to be a tight battle to earn a spot in the EUROS2020 qualifier final.
This guy 👇👊
FT | Slovakia 0-0 Ireland
Extra-time it is. #SVKIRL | #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/LCpgpEuKwJ— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 8, 2020
Surprised McGoldrick still can run around at this stage. He just doesn’t stop. #SLOIRL #SVKIRL #COYBIG
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) October 8, 2020
Ireland created a number of chances in the first half of extra time, but they were unable to find the back of the net.
With 15 minutes left in the match, the prospect of penalties loomed large for both sides.
Someone in Slovakia show Stephen Kenny this tweet. It’s time. #SLOIRL #SVKIRL #COYBIG https://t.co/2IVZWOTojc
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) October 8, 2020
With 120 minutes of football played, nothing separated the two teams. Ultimately a penalty shootout would decide the victors in Bratislava.
#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/bOnEh5dBZW
— Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile 🇮🇪🇵🇸 (@NiallSF) October 8, 2020
Great performance. Deserve the win. Come on lads!! #COYBIG
— Simon Delaney (@SimonDelaneyEsq) October 8, 2020
Slovakia were able to hold off the visitors who missed two of their penalties at the end of the match.
Ah no #SVKIRL
— Raf Diallo (@RafDLeitrim) October 8, 2020
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