Prague: Czechia have claimed the last remaining spot in South Korea's group for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Czechia, world No. 43, defeated 21st-ranked Denmark 3-1 on penalties in a European World Cup qualifying playoff match at Stadion Letna in Prague on Tuesday (local time) to join South Korea, Mexico, and South Africa in Group A of the World Cup. This will be Czechia's first World Cup appearance since 2006.
According to Yonhap News Agency, in Europe, the 12 runners-up from the first round and the four Nations League group winners were split into four playoff paths, each made up of four teams, for one last chance to qualify for the big tournament. In Path D, Czechia knocked off Ireland 4-3 on penalties, and Denmark defeated North Macedonia 4-0 on Thursday to set up Tuesday's showdown.
Czechia and Denmark were knotted at 1-1 after 90 minutes, and they traded a goal each during extra time. Then with Czechia up 2-1 in the shootout, Denmark's fourth kicker, Mathias Jensen, missed his shot, and Michal Sadilek converted his kick for Czechia to close out the win.
South Korea, ranked 22nd, and Czechia have faced each other five times, with South Korea having posted one win, two draws, and two losses. Their most recent meeting in June 2016 resulted in a 2-1 win for South Korea.
At the World Cup, South Korea will begin Group A play against Czechia on June 11 at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, and then will play Mexico at the same venue on June 18. The final group match will be against South Africa at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, part of the greater Monterrey area, on June 24.
The top two nations from each of the 12 groups will qualify for the knockout stage, joined by the eight best third-place teams.