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Ireland fell short in the most harrowing way in the Euro 2020 playoff semi-final against Slovakia tonight.
Stephen Kenny’s team displayed ambition throughout and had a clear chance of winning the game in regulation time.
But it still seemed inevitable to go to penalties. And while Darren Randolph came very close to saving a couple of efforts, the failures of Alan Browne and Matt Doherty sealed Ireland’s fate.
Our football correspondent Paul O’Hehir has followed the rules about Boys in Green in Bratislava:
Darren Randolph 7 – Safe pair and super save to deny Duda in first-half injury time.
Matt Doherty 7 – Much better than the Spurs man who was crushed to death with his missed penalty.
Shane Duffy 7: Shaky last month, but solid here and made a vital clearance from the line at the end.
John Egan 7 – The distribution could have been better, but his defense and coverage was top-notch.
Enda Stevens 7 – Vital initial block on Duda and became an attacking threat, taking advantage of Brown’s opportunity.
Jeff Hendrick 7 – Display of all energy and covered every blade of grass in a variety of positions.
James McCarthy 6: Slovakia restless by stalking them in possession but was forced to leave the field due to injury.
Conor Hourihane 6 – He blew a glorious chance to win with a weak shot in great position. Reserved.
Callum Robinson 6 – The center lacked precision, but was alert and a handful before exhausting in overtime.
David McGoldrick 8 – The conductor linked the work excellently and came close to a winner in overtime.
James McClean 7 – Caught in a good opportunity, but knocked out on defense with lung-busting coverage runs.
IRELAND SUBS:
Robbie Brady for McClean, 60 minutes – 6
Alan Browne for McCarthy, 60 minutes – 8
Callum O’Dowda for Robinson, 99 minutes – 6
Shane Long for McGoldrick, 112 minutes – 6
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