Sammie Szmodics was taken to hospital after being ‘knocked out cold’ during Ireland‘s encounter with Czechia. Heimir Hallgrimsson introduced the forward as the Boys in Green pursued a winner in the closing minutes of extra-time in Prague, substituting Jayson Molumby. However, he was withdrawn just five minutes after entering the pitch following a severe collision with Stepan Chaloupek.

Speaking to RTE Sport after the match, Hallgrimsson revealed that Szmodics would remain in Prague overnight and hopefully return to Dublin on Friday. The manager said: “The last thing we heard he was conscious so he was knocked out cold. At least he is conscious now and he will stay here tonight and fly home hopefully tomorrow.”

Ireland suffered penalty heartbreak in the Czech capital as Jan Kliment propelled the hosts to within 90 minutes of the World Cup finals. They will meet Denmark in Prague on Tuesday.

Substitute Kliment converted the decisive spot-kick at the Fortuna Arena after Finn Azaz and Alan Browne had seen their attempts saved by Matej Kovar.

The match finished 2-2 after extra-time, with the Czechs recovering from two goals down to draw level.

Speaking afterwards, Hallgrimsson said: “Just pain. We only feel pain. When you go this far, obviously it is up to luck or a flip of a coin.

“So it’s just pain that we feel obviously, being that close. It was not a good football match. The match was never under control, either for us or them.

“It was long ball, crosses, set-pieces, duels. That is how the game was decided, in these moments.

“We talked about trying to take control of game, to play more on the ground. There were a lot of emotions in the game. Neither team got a grip on it.”

Ireland conceded a penalty shortly after going two goals up in a moment that proved to be a turning point in the match.

“All goals you concede come at a bad time,” added Hallgrimsson. “I thought we were having control when that penalty came.

“We felt good and it always affects psychologically you when you concede so quickly after. Most chances in the match came from set-pieces. That was the game. It could have gone either way.”

Ireland weren’t the only team to suffer playoff heartbreak on Thursday night, with Wales and Northern Ireland also losing.

Wales threw away a lead in their defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, also on penalties, while Northern Ireland were brushed aside by Italy.