Middlesbrough goalkeeper
/B5DOcy_lBYy/">Darren Randolph
The Republic of Ireland international played in goal as his country were held to a 1-1 draw against Denmark, consigning them to a play-off for qualification to next year’s European Championships.
The game was a must-win for the home side as they looked for automatic qualification to next year’s tournament. It wasn’t to be as Randolph’s former Middlesbrough teammate Martin Braithwaite latched onto Brentford full-back Henrik Dalsgaard’s cross to give the away side the lead with only 20 minutes to play.
The hosts hit back with five minutes to go through Matt Doherty but it wasn’t enough and now Ireland must wait until March to see if they can qualify for Euro 2020. The Middlesbrough stopper took to Instagram to express his, and his side’s, disappointment following last night’s draw.
The ‘keeper also took time to comment on his opposite number in the Denmark goal, Kasper Schmeichel, after what was a routine performance from the pair. They had little to do at either end and the goals they both conceded were not their fault. Randolph posted on his Instagram story to congratulate Schmeichel on qualification:
The Verdict
It was a devastating blow for the Republic of Ireland to so narrowly miss out on qualification to the Euro’s, but they will be eager to bounce back in March when they go into the play-offs for a second chance.
It is also positive to see that Randolph can be gracious in the face of such a gutting result, by congratulating his Danish counterpart, Schmeichel, on their success at qualifying.