England have the last laugh at pre-match mocking after 2026 World Cup dreams end for Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It was heartbreak for the Republic of Ireland as the hosts Czech Republic fought back from two goals down in normal time before eventually winning on spot kicks. Czechia will take on Denmark on Tuesday night for a place at this summer’s tournament.
Meanwhile, it was a cruel ending for Wales, who are denied a major finals appearance by a penalty shoot-out. Bosnia who will host Italy on Tuesday, after the Italian beat Northern Ireland 2-0.
Thousands of ticketless Irish supporters filled Prague’s pubs, with one moment going viral across social media, showing an England flag moment being taken down from some bunting in a bar, leading to Ireland fans celebrating its removal.
England however were left ending the night with a smile on their face after watching Ireland crash out.
Have a watch of that, and all the highlights below…
Ireland fans in Prague loving it when the bouncer rips down the England flag from the bunting inside the pub… 😬😬 pic.twitter.com/UNFJ9WOzUd
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) March 26, 2026
Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson speaking to RTE: “Just pain. We all feel pain. When you go this far it’s a flip of a coin. Just pain we feel being that close.
“We had our first six or seven [takers] ready. Almost all of them were on the pitch when it came to it. We had planned for this.
“It was never a good football match. It was never under control from us or them. It was long balls, duels, crosses, set-pieces. That’s how this game was decided.
“We talked about trying to take control of the game and play on the ground. But there was a lot of emotion in the game.”
“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
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.”
Wales boss Craig Bellamy told BBC Match of the Day Wales: “I am very proud but definitely disappointed. There was a lot of good tonight, but it wasn’t to be.
“I got what I wanted from my team, definitely. But with 20 minutes left we stopped playing and we just can’t do that, even though it was understandable.
“It was a big lesson for us. We needed to see the game out with the ball.
“We regained momentum in extra time. Considering the chances we created and moments we had, maybe we’d have liked to have been out of sight by then.
“We’ve got a home nations Euros coming up, what an incredible time.
“We wanted to be in a World Cup this summer, but the future is very bright. There are some good years ahead for Wales.
“I’m disappointed for the players we couldn’t get back-to-back World Cups, because we are a good team.”
Wales forward Dan James told BBC Match of the Day Wales Extra: “It’s tough to take, I thought we played really well.
“For them to get a late goal was gutting.
“I thought we were brilliant in extra time, we worked so hard, and what we should today was how far we have come.
“We’ll be back, and thank you to all the fans who have been incredible.
“It wasn’t meant to be tonight, but the boys will be stronger for it.”
Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow told Match of the Day Wales Extra: “We’re devastated, that’s the only word for it.
“We’ve given our everything out there and come this for, unfortunately it wasn’t to be tonight.
“We’ve played our own brand of football and we can be proud of that.
“It’s such a young group full of talented characters, we’re devastated tonight but we are growing and you can see that over the last couple years.
“Hopefully exciting times ahead!”
Wales captain Ethan Ampadu told Match of the Day Wales: “We’re lost for words. We prepared as well as we could have and I thought we played well.
“We can hold our heads up high because we fought for everything, sometimes in life things don’t go your way.
“We’re always going to look back at what we could have done better, maybe we could have managed the last 10 minutes better to make sure we stayed on the attacking foot.
“That’s something we can look at in the future, but for now it’s a lot of disappointment.”
Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill, per Sky Sports:
“I cannot ask much more from the players. Our game plan worked very well in the first half and Italy struggled to create chances. In the second half, we had a couple of tense moments before their goal. [Sandro] Tonali hit a great strike and playing at 1-0 down was certainly more difficult.
“There is courage and energy in this team. I’m very proud because we are a very young team with an average age of around 22. This game will be important for the rest of their careers. Regardless of the result, we took a step forward in the progress of this team. For a nation of our size, playing with a team of that age, there are certainly a lot of positives.
“When we reflect on the game and the campaign overall, we have plenty of things to be positive about. The team has developed well. Pierce [Charles] is 20 years of age, he was magnificent. He has a brilliant temperament for his age. There were great performances by many players but Pierce’s one was very strong.”
O’Neill on his future:
“As things stand, I will manage the game on Tuesday night, and I will manage the remaining seven games for Blackburn Rovers. But my contract is still with the IFA. I’m contracted to 2028 and after Blackburn Rovers I’ll revert back to the status quo which is the national team manager.”
Northern Ireland defender Paddy McNair speaking to BBC Sport NI:
“When you lose a game, it is always frustrating. I thought first half we were really comfortable and even the start of the second half.
“Tonali scores a good goal from the edge of the box and it gives them a lift.
“The crowd was getting onto their backs at times and we wanted to stay in the game as long as possible. The second goal killed the game.”
On Italy: “It is frustrating, I feel like they were there for the taking.
“I know Italy is a big nation. I have played against a lot of big nations before and I think, at the minute, they are not at the levels they once were, so they were frustrating.”
On the World Cup dream being over: “It is gutting to be honest. As I have said before, I thought they were there for the taking but we just didn’t do enough.”
On if he will play another campaign: “Of course, I am only 30!
Northern Ireland’s Ethan Galbraith speaking to BBC Sport NI:
On the game: “I thought our shape for most of the game was excellent. We left everything out there, so I am proud of the lads
“When you come against elite players sometimes, they do a bit of magic like they have done. We are disappointed but all proud of the performance.”
On if the team has grown: “Massively. It is a very young group, so the future is bright from the lads.
“From when we started playing to now, I think you nailed it on the head, we have come a long way.”
England have the last laugh after World Cup dreams end for Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland…
@PekkTinNUFC: Might have to take the Irish one off too…
@EnglandOnOurWay: They can talk about this legendary moment all summer 😂😂 👋🏻👋🏻
@MRMCB20: You can be sure if these were England fans, they wouldn’t rip down an Ireland flag. Do you know why? Because nobody cares.
@_JamesChallinor: All be back supporting English teams next week
@Bradders_87: Maybe you can use that flag to dry your tears tonight lads.
@liamtribb; Anyone know who they’ve got in the World cup?
@PotterDave_: Hahahahahahaha hope you enjoyed your World Cup journey lads. Off ya fucking pop #ROI #Ireland
@Scotty__91: That was just showing all the nations at the World Cup this summer, they’ve taken the wrong one down.
@MG117_: Haha class lads how’d the game go?
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