Republic miss out on automatic qualification, Denmark reach Euros

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The Republic of Ireland fell agonisingly short of automatic qualification for Euro 2020 and will have to rely on the play-offs after they drew with Denmark at a raucous Aviva Stadium.

The Irish created plenty of chances with one of their best performances in recent years, but Matt Doherty's equaliser came too late for the win they needed.

Martin Braithwaite got in behind Doherty to stab home Henrik Dalsgaard's cross and open the scoring from Denmark's first shot on target - one of only two they had in the game. The Irish will rue their finishing, with Conor Hourihane missing a glorious chance in the first half.

Doherty's header from Enda Stevens' cross set up a thrilling finale in a deafening atmosphere but they could not create that one last chance they needed.

The Irish players collapsed to the ground at the final whistle, knowing they had given everything - as their fans gave them a standing ovation despite falling just short in the end.

They will have another chance to qualify in the play-offs, with a potential semi-final away to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Wales or Slovakia.

• Group A - England, Czech Republic
• Group B - Ukraine, Portugal
• Group C - Germany, Netherlands
• Group D - Switzerland, Denmark
• Group E - Croatia and one from Hungary, Wales and Slovakia
• Group F - Spain, Sweden
• Group G - Poland, Austria
• Group H - France, Turkey
• Group I - Belgium, Russia
• Group J - Italy, Finland

Nations League (confirmed teams only)

• League A - Iceland plus three nations
• League B - Bosnia-Herzegovina plus three nations
• League C - Scotland, Norway, Serbia, plus one nation
• League D - Georgia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Belarus

Depending on tomorrow's results, the Republic of Ireland may have to wait until Friday's draw before they find out who their play-off opponents will be.

The one-legged play-off semi-finals will take place on 26 March and then the finals five days later. Win that and you're at the Euros.

Denmark and Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel tells Sky Sports: "It was dramatic enough. Not a lot of quality from both sides, it was a cagey and tight affair.

"We were terrible. We didn't hit anything we tried to today and we had to rely on our grit and determination. We needed it today as we were under a lot of pressure. We just couldn't get our game going, we had the two injuries and that knocked us off our rhythm, but I don't really care now.

"This is the best Ireland have been against us. We had to ride our luck at times but you need that when you're fighting for qualification. We are a very small nation the chance of us playing home games is very small so to give our fans that experience is unique."

Some of the group matches in Euro 2020 will be held in Copenhagen, with Denmark now guaranteed to be playing at least two of those games at home.

Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy, speaking to Sky Sports: "I am immensely proud of the players. They pushed them right to the limit. If my players and my team leave everything on the pitch I will take the result as it comes so I will have to take the defeat.

"You just need that bit of luck. We had opportunities but I am not going to criticise the lads they have been brilliant, we lost one game out of eight. Very proud of them.

"We can beat anyone in the play-offs.

"The players will go back to their clubs and we don't have a game until March. I'll be getting round them and reminding them it has been a good campaign and that we can play like that, so why not play like that in March."

Republic of Ireland goalscorer Matt Doherty tells Sky Sports: "We knew we had to win the game and we haven't done that and everyone is as flat as a pancake right now.

"We had control of the game, wave after wave of attack. We played well and have to take that confidence into March. Everything looked like it would fall into place.

"We have only scored seven goals, you need to score goals to win games and we haven't scored enough. It was a tough group, we went all the way and we have to make sure we are right in March."

Republic of Ireland striker David McGoldrick told Sky Sports: "We gave it our all and that's what the manager asked for.

"We deserved to win the game, but we drew and it's heartbreaking. I had a few chances, I had a header which hit my shoulder. I have to do better as a striker and I accept that.

"Maybe another five minutes and we would've got a second."

Republic of Ireland captain Shane Duffy told Sky Sports: "It's disappointing, I thought we were the better team and one slip has cost us.

"We believed we could beat them, it was difficult when they went 1-0 up but we kept going and we have to pick ourselves up for some big games in March. There is no blame in this team, we win and lose together. We pick ourselves up and we go again.

"They didn't create that many clear-cut chances, we had a few, I had the feeling this was our game, this was our moment.

"We gave everything, but the win wasn't there. It's a hard one to take right now. We have scored a few late goals in this campaign but it wasn't to be. We have to dust ourselves down and do everything we can do in March."

Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper David Forde on Twitter...

The Irish players have collapsed to the ground as the final whistle goes. They get a standing ovation from their fans for a wonderful, wonderful effort tonight.

One big positive is the encouraging signs going into next year's play-offs.

A number of Irish players are on their backs, distraught at just missing out on automatic qualification. They played really well after the break and gave it everything today.

Denmark qualify for Euro 2020. The Irish are consigned to a four-nation play-off in March.

But Denmark get it clear.

Throw-in for Ireland. Doherty to launch it into the box.

One minute for the Irish. they must score or it's a four-nation play-off.

Kasper Schmeichel booked for time-wasting.

Browne with a ball into the box, Kasper Schmeichel comes a long way off his line but, under pressure, can't gather it. Enda Stevens should keep the ball alive and only sends it wastefully out. Mick McCarthy is nearly on his knees as another good opportunity is wasted.

Send everyone forward and hope...

Four minutes of injury time. One goal will do it for the Republic.