Internationals: Joa goal in vain as Denmark lose on pens

Joachim Andersen was on target in Denmark’s World Cup Play-Off Final against Czechia, but it ended in disappointment for his side as they were defeated on penalties. Having trailed since the third minute in Prague, Andersen forced extra-time when he beat the ‘keeper to Mikkel Damsgaard’s free-kick to head home his second international goal. Wolves’ Ladislav Krejčí put the hosts back in front on 100 minutes, but Denmark fought back once again to take the tie to a penalty shootout, only for Rasmus Højlund, Anders Dreyer and Mathias Jensen to all miss from the spot. It means 2026 will be the first World Cup in 12 years not to feature Denmark. In friendly action, Harry Wilson played the full 90 minutes of Wales’ 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland. It’s not the fixture either nation had hoped to be playing on Tuesday evening after their respective Play-Off Semi-Finals last week, which might have played a part in the lacklustre display in Cardiff as Sorba Thomas cancelled out Jamie Donley’s opener. Elsewhere in Europe, Sander Berge played all of Norway’s goalless draw with Switzerland, and Oscar Bobb got the second half. In Under-21 Euro qualifying, Josh King came on for the final quarter of an hour of England's 4-1 victory over Moldova, and Jonah Kusi-Asare was introduced for the final quarter of Sweden's 4-0 defeat by Italy. Further afield, Saša Lukić came off the bench for the final eight minutes of Serbia’s 2-1 win in Saudi Arabia, while Raúl Jiménez and Timothy Castagne shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in Mexico City. Both players departed the action midway through the second half. Finally, Antonee Robinson played the first half of the United States’ 2-0 defeat by Portugal, Issa Diop saw all of Morocco’s 2-1 victory over Paraguay, and Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi were second half substitutes in Nigeria’s 2-2 draw with Jordan, with Iwobi sent off in stoppage time.