World Cup 2026 qualifying roundup: Northern Ireland in playoffs despite loss
Slovakia win 1-0 and battle with Germany for top spot
Netherlands nearly there after draw in Poland
Tomas Bobcek’s stoppage-time goal ended Northern Ireland’s hopes of making it out of World Cup qualifying Group A but they came away from a 1-0 defeat by Slovakia assured of a playoff place regardless.
Debutant Bobcek had been on the pitch for onlyseven minutes when he fired in from Laszlo Benes’ corner in the first of eight minutes added on, and the goal stood despite Northern Ireland appeals for a foul after Dan Ballard had gone down in the buildup. Slovakia had already seen second-half strikes from Lukas Haraslin and David Strelec chalked off but this time it stood to spark wild celebrations as the home bench emptied.
