The Republic of Ireland are back in action on Thursday night as they travel to Prague to take on Czech Republic in a World Cup qualifying play-off semi final.BOYLE Sports have announced their super boost for Thursday night’s World Cup qualifying play-off semi final, now offering EVENS for Troy Parrott to have a shot on target against Czech Republic, up from 1/2, which can be added into your betslip with this link*.BOYLE Sports – Get EVENS on a Parrott shot on target (was 1/2) – CLAIM HEREThe November block of international matches saw Troy Parrott become a national hero as he scored all five of the Republic of Ireland’s goals across the two matches, scoring a brace in a 2-0 win over Portugal and a hat trick in Hungary to seal a 3-2 win.The unlikely victories saw Ireland sneak into the top two of Group F in World Cup qualifying to book their place in this week’s play-off semi final.The 24-year-old former Tottenham striker has been on fire in the Netherlands for AZ Alkmaar this season, with 38 goal contributions, including 28 goals in 41 matches in all competitions.The Republic of Ireland booked their place in Thursday night’s World Cup qualifying play-off semi final in the most unlikely of circumstances after a picking up just one point from their opening three Group F qualifiers.Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side snatched a draw in the 93rd minute of their opening qualifier at home against Hungary in September after being 2-0 down, before suffering a damaging and humiliating defeat against Armenia just three days later.The Irish then conceded a 91st minute winner against Portugal in Lisbon to leave them with just a solitary point from their opening half of the campaign and in need of a top two finish to progress, but recorded their first win of the campaign three days later with an unconvincing 1-0 win over a 10-man Armenia in Dublin.Then came the seemingly impossible as the Boys in Green needed victories in November against Portugal at home and Hungary away to maintain their hopes of qualifying for their first World Cup in 24 years.A breathtaking 2-0 win over Nations League champions Portugal was followed up by a blockbuster 3-2 victory in Budapest, in which Hallgrimsson’s side were 2-1 down with 10 minutes remaining, only to win with a 96th minute winner from Parrott to silence the home crowd.The result means that the Republic of Ireland head make the trip to Prague having won their last three matches, and will be in jubilant mood still with memories still fresh of that afternoon in Budapest. 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Czech Republic survived a slight scare in the World Cup qualifying group but ultimately had a much less dramatic route into Thursday night’s semi final.The eastern European side, looking to reach their first World Cup in 20 years, won four of their opening five qualifiers for this summer’s tournament in North America, beating Montenegro (twice), the Faroe Islands and Gibraltar but suffering a heavy defeat to Croatia.A goalless draw at home against Croatia was then followed by a shock 2-1 defeat against the Faroe Islands, ending their run of just one defeat in 12 matches, and saw the end of Ivan Hasek’s near two year spell in charge of his national team.Previous assistant manager Jaroslav Kostl was named as caretaker for Narodak‘s final group game, from which they were already guaranteed a second placed finish in Group L, and oversaw a 6-0 home win over Gibraltar.74-year-old former Viktoria Plzen manager Miroslav Koubek has since been appointed as the Czech Republic’s new head coach, on a contract until the end of Euro 2028, and Thursday’s semi final will be his first match in the job.The winner of Thursday’s match in Prague will progress through to a one-legged play off final at home against either Denmark or North Macedonia on Tuesday night, with the winner being placed in Group A of this summer’s World Cup alongside Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.The last time the two sides met came in a friendly in Dublin in February 2012, in which ex-West Brom forward Simon Cox’s late equaliser cancelled out a second half goal scored by former Liverpool striker Milan Baros.The most recent competitive meeting between the two nations came in a Euro 2008 qualifier in Prague in September 2007, in which AC Milan’s Champions League winning left back Marek Jankulovski scored the only goal of the game.How to watch Czech Republic v Republic of IrelandLocation: Fortuna Arena, Prague, Czech RepublicDate and time: Thursday 26th March 2026, 7:45pmHow to watch: Amazon Prime PPVBOYLE Sports: Bet £10 and get £50 in free bets – CLAIM HERE*Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. 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