World Cup penalty drama as home nations and Rangers men suffer agony - but Celtic star has night to remember

On a gripping night at the Cardiff City Stadium, Dan James lashed home a strike from the edge of the penalty box on 52 minutes to put Wales ahead. However, veteran striker Edin Dzeko equalised on 86 minutes for Bosnia to force extra time and then penalties.

Bosnia were the better from the spot, winning 4-2 after Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams missed. They will now face Italy in the final.

It was a far more serene night for Rino Gattuso’s Italians in Bergamo as they took care of Northern Ireland 2-0.

After a goalless first half, Sandro Tonali lashed home from the edge of the penalty box on 56 minutes and Moise Kean put the game to bed on 80 minutes with a neat finish in off the post.

Republic of Ireland also suffered disaster in a penalty shoot-out after their World Cup aspirations were ended by Czechia at the Fortuna Arena in Prague.

The Irish - who were without suspended Celtic defender Liam Scales - raced into a two-goal lead via Troy Parrott’s penalty and Matej Kovar’s own goal, but were pegged back when Patrik Schick netted from the spot and then Ladislav Krejci levelled on 86 minutes.

The game went to extra time and then penalties, with Finn Azaz and Alan Browne missing to send the Czechs through.

Their opponents in the final will be Denmark, who swatted aside North Macedonia in their semi-final clash in Copenhagen.

The Danes were stunned by Scotland back in November at Hampden after a 4-2 defeat consigned them to the play-offs and despite being without No 1 goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic due to his shoulder surgery, they were convincing 4-0 victors at Parken Stadion.

After a goalless first half, Mikkel Damsgaard broke the deadlock on 49 minutes and by the hour mark they were three to the good, with Lazio forward Gustav Isaksen netting twice. Christian Norgaard added a fourth on 76 minutes to put gloss on the scoreline.

Rangers striker Bojan Miovski was named on the subs bench for the North Macedonians and came on towards the end.

Celtic man helps his Arsenal pal

Celtic forward Benjamin Nygren set up the first of Viktor Gyokores’ three goals as Sweden defeated Ukraine 3-1 in Valencia to set up a date with Poland in Solna.

The Poles needed to dig deep against Albania in Warsaw, who had Rangers playmaker Nedim Bajrami in their starting XI. The visitors led at the interval but Poland regrouped and squeezed through thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski.

Earlier on Thursday, Turkey progressed to the final showdown with Kosovo with a narrow 1-0 win over Romania in Istanbul.

Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ferdi Kadioglu was the hero for the Turks, finding the net on 56 minutes after good work from Arda Guler.

Former Rangers playmaker Ianis Hagi, who is now playing for Turkish Super Lig side Alanyaspor, started for the Romanians before making way on 71 minutes for Nicolae Stanciu.

Kosovo kept alive their quest for a maiden World Cup appearance with an enthralling 4-3 over Slovakia in Bratislava. They trailed 2-1 at the break, but rallied spectacularly to stun their hosts.

Veldin Hodza, Fisnik Asllani, Florent Muslija and Kreshnik Hajrizi were the heroes for Kosovo, who will now host Turkey at Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina for a World Cup place.

All the European play-offs for the World Cup take place on Tuesday evening.

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