Czechia beat Denmark on penalties to book World Cup spot

Czechia beat ‌Heimir Hallgrimsson's Ireland ⁠in a shootout in the playoff semi-finals last week.

Pavel Sulc celebrates scoring the opening goal. Pic: Michal Cizek / AFP via Getty Images

Czechia clinched a spot at this ​year's World Cup by beating ‌Denmark 3-1 on penalties after an absorbing encounter in which they led ​in normal time and extra ​time on Tuesday.

The Czechs were ⁠pegged back to 1-1 at ​the end of 90 minutes and ​2-2 after the extra period before winning the shootout to reach their first ​World Cup since 2006 to ​delight the home fans.

The hosts - who beat ‌Heimir Hallgrimsson's Ireland ⁠in a shootout in the playoff semi-finals last week - stunned Denmark when Pavel Sulc found the ​top corner ​with ⁠a first-time strike after three minutes.

The visitors levelled ​in the 72nd through a ​Joachim ⁠Andersen header before Czech captain Ladislav Krejci and Denmark's Kasper ⁠Hogh ​scored in extra time ​to send the match to penalties.