Today's highlights
• Turkey beat Romania 1-0 in Istanbul as Ferdi Kadioglu nets the winner to see them progress into the final stage of the play-offs
• That was followed by the other seven matches, as former winners Italy found a way past Northern Ireland after a strong second half showing
• The other standout nation in action were Denmark and the Danes cruised past North Macedonia after a convincing 4-0 victory
• Finally, two dramatic penalty shootouts were won by Bosnia and the Czech Republic as Wales and Ireland's World Cup dreams came to a heartbreaking end
All the play-off semi-final results
Czech Republic 2-2 Republic of Ireland - Czech Republic won on penalties
Wales 1-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina -Bosnia & Herzegovina won on penalties
Key updates to keep you informed:
23:38 CET - Two dramatic penalty shootouts have to come to an end as Bosnia edge past Wales in a topsy-turvy shootout in Cardiff to leave the home supporters heartbroken as their World Cup dream ends.
Czechia, meanwhile, snuck past the Republic of Ireland to send Prague into rapture and keep their World Cup hopes alive.
A dramatic way to end a pulsating night of football in the World Cup play-off semi-finals!
23:28 CET - After 120 minutes, nothing could separate Czechia and Republic of Ireland or Wales and Bosnia...
Therefore, penalties await in Prague and Cardiff!
23:03 CET - It is half-time in extra-time in the two matches that are going the distance and there is nothing to seperate the sides in Prague or Cardiff as things stand. Are penalties looming?
22:40 CET - It is all over across Europe as Italy and Denmark avoid potential upsets to book their places in the play-off final.
Italy were far from vintage Italy, but then again, when were Italy last vintage Italy? They were much better in the second half and deserve to keep their World Cup dream alive.
We are heading towards an extra 30 minutes in Prague and Cardiff, after late goals by Bosnia and Czechia forced extra-time.
22:35 CET - The heartbreak continues for the United Kingdom nations as Czechia have completed a comeback against the Republic of Ireland to make it 2-2 and potentially force extra-time! Incredible scenes in Prague.
22:32 CET - 40-year-old Edin Dzeko has rolled back the years to score a crucial goal for Bosnia in Cardiff! That clash is now heading to extra-time as it stands...
22:24 CET - Italy have one foot in the play-off final after taking a deserved 2-0 lead against Northern Ireland. It was a classy finish by Moise Kean inside the box to fire Italy two up and potentially out of sight.
All of a sudden, Bergamo is bouncing as, for the first time tonight, the Italy fans feel they have done enough.
22:21 CET - As Sweden and Denmark increase their leads even further, Poland have come from behind to take the lead against Albania after a crucial goal by Inter star Piotr Zielinski.
22:15 CET - Viktor Gyokeres has stepped up big time for his country tonight after the Arsenal forward completed a brace minutes ago to put Sweden in control in Valencia. Game over?
22:10 CET - Denmark have really turned it on in the second half and all but in the play-off final now after scoring twice more to storm into a 3-0 lead. Lazio winger Gustav Isaksen is the hero for Denmark after scoring twice in the space of a minute!
22:08 CET - When it rains, it pours! The home sides are finally coming to the party tonight and Italy have found their breakthrough in Bergamo after a classy strike from Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali from the edge of the box.
It had been coming for the hosts who have been much improved in the second period.
22:05 CET - Wales have also found an opening goal in front of a rocking home crowd in Cardiff! Leeds United winger Dan James has had a troubling return to the Premier League this season, but has stepped up with a crucial goal for his country this evening! Bosnia have it all to do now to silence this bouncing Welsh crowd.
22:00 CET - Denmark have finally made their dominance count to take the lead against North Macedonia after a brilliant strike by Mikkel Damsgaard! A man who has often come to his nation's aid in their time of need.
21:51 CET - Kosovo have wasted no time in getting the goals back underway in the second half! The visitors have come from behind for the second time to level the match up after talented Hoffenheim forward Fisnik Asllani's bullet header in the 47th minute.
21:35 CET - It is half-time across the grounds as a breathless opening 45 minutes comes to a close!
The headline match of the night in Bergamo remains goalless as Northern Ireland have done a brilliant job at keeping Italy quiet so far. Since a couple of early chances from the hosts, Italy have been flat and the visitors have looked dangerous on the counter.
The other big nation in action tonight is Denmark, and they have also been frustrated so far in their clash at home against North Macedonia. The hosts have enjoyed 72% of possession and are on top but have struggled to create many clear-cut chances.
Worrying signs for Gennaro Gattuso.
21:30 CET - Albania have taken a shock lead in Poland through Dinamo Zagreb striker Arber Hoxha! It was a shocking mistake from Poland who handed possession straight to Hoxha and the forward had the simple task of putting the gift away.
21:25 CET - Italy are on top in Bergamo, meanwhile, but Northern Ireland have done well to take the sting out of the game at crucial moments and are holding the Italian's off well so far.
Ireland are sitting deep and making life as hard as possible for the hosts, who, as things stand, look lost for ideas on how to break them down.
21:14 CET - Czechia have found a way back into what is becoming a thrilling contest in Prague after Patrik Schick found the top corner from the spot!
21:11 CET - Ireland have doubled their lead against Czechia after a comical own goal by keeper Matej Kovar.
Full-back Vladimir Coufal headed the ball against the bar and it rebounded off Kovar and went in. Calamity.
21:07 CET - The Republic of Ireland have taken the lead in Prague after man of the moment Troy Parrott converted from the penalty spot.
Parrott has scored his sixth goal of the 2026 UEFA World Cup Qualifiers this edition, more than any other Republic of Ireland player.
20:59 CET - There has been a dream start for Sweden too against Ukraine! Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres is the man to get the vital early goal for Graham Potter's side!
Sweden were dreadful in qualifying and Gyokeres comes into this game in underwhelming club form but the big striker has stepped up for his country in their hour of need!
20:55 CET - Italy are knocking on the door early on in Bergamo and have come close twice already to opening the scoring. Surely it is just a matter of time...
20:52 CET - The first goal of the late games has gone the way of Slovakia! A dangerous ball into the box was met by the unmarked Martin Valjent and the Slovakian defender made no mistake to head home from point-blank range.
Valjent scored after just 5:35, the fastest goal for Slovakia in the 2026 UEFA World Cup Qualifiers.
20:44 CET - It is national anthem time across the grounds in Europe! Kick-off will follow shortly...
20:26 CET - In Bratislava this evening, Slovakia face Kosovo in what is an intriguing clash. The winner will face Turkey on Tuesday, and the Slovaks will be hoping their midfield maestro, Stanislav Lobotka, can pull the strings. Kosovo have never been to a World Cup, what a chance it is for them...
20:15 CET - Cardiff is abuzz tonight with anticipation of their Wales side making it into back-to-back World Cups.
They take on Bosnia & Herzegovina with Craig Bellamy opting for a 4-2-3-1 with Brennan Johnson leading the line. Edin Dzeko, in his 'last dance' era, is up top for the visitors.
20:00 CET - Italy have not qualified for a World Cup since 2014, and after a tough qualifying campaign, where they were beaten to top spot by Norway, the Azzurri take on Northern Ireland in Bergamo from 20:45 CET, hoping to avoid another humiliating exit.
19:52 CET - Joy for Turkey, heartbreak for Romania! The home side are on their way to a play-off final after Ferdi Kadioglu's second-half goal was the difference in a close 1-0 victory for Vincenzo Montella's men.
They will now face either Slovakia or Kosovo for a place at this summer's World Cup.
19:33 CET - Over to Prague, where approximately 6,000 Irish fans have descended on the Czech capital to see their side take on the Czech Republic.
The two sides couldn't have more contrasting fortunes heading into the game, with Ireland beating Hungary with a last-minute Troy Parrott goal, whilst the Czechs have a new coach and a new captain for this clash.
Veteran Hradec Kralove midfielder Vladimir Darida gets a surprise start as Tomas Soucek is dumped to the bench, whilst the intimidating duo of Tomas Chory and Patrik Schick start up front together in a three.
Meanwhile, Ireland have opted for the same 3-4-3 formation, with Parrott supported by Finn Azaz and Chiedozie Ogbene.
It should be a raucous atmosphere inside the Fortuna Arena, in what will be another great tie.
19:27 CET - It's a big night for Denmark, as they host North Macedonia to keep their dreams of going back to the World Cup alive.
Injuries to the Danes' backline has put that in jeopardy, with four key players all missing.
This sees Christian Norgaard - the Arsenal midfielder - starting as a makeshift centre-back, whilst Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line.
Seattle Sounders' Danny Musovski gets the nod for North Macedonia, and Flashscore sat down with him recently as he explained his pride in wearing the shirt of his parents' homeland.
19:20 CET - Kenan Yildiz now hits the woodwork for Turkey as they continue to ratchet up the pressure on Romania. The away side have struggled, in truth, going more than 30 minutes without a shot until Ianis Hagi broke the rot in the 54th minute.
19:11 CET - GOAL! Turkey have lift off in Istanbul, and it's their star man, Arda Guler, at the heart of it. He puts a beautiful ball onto the foot of Brighton's Ferdi Kadioglu, who volleys home from close range to give his side the lead. That was his first goal of the season of the campaign, and it came at the perfect time.
All to do for Romania now...
18:48 CET - No stoppage time at the end of the first half in Istanbul, which tells you all you need to know about a tense and tight affair between Turkey and Romania.
We have had no shots on target so far, whilst the hosts have bossed attention, their manager, Vincenzo Montella, will want them to turn that into clear-cut chances in the second period.
18:34 CET - Turkey have had 70% possession over the last 15 minutes, and they are starting to create more opportunities. Arda Guler, their main man, has had a couple of shots, but neither have hit the target.
18:18 CET - With so much riding on today's games, it's no real surprise that it has been a cagey opening to Turkey against Romania. The first real glimpse of goal comes from a Hakan Calhanoglu free-kick, but the Inter man can't find the target.
18:03 CET - We are underway in Istanbul as Turkey and Romania are just 90 minutes away from earning a spot in a playoff final.
Who will come out on top?
17:39 CET - Just more than 20 minutes until today's action gets underway and if you want to whet the appetite for the first game of the day, then we have you covered...
16:40 CET - Team news is just in for the first play-off clash in Istanbul and Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella has named an attacking side to take on Romania.
Supporters were expecting Montella to play a 4-3-3 with three central midfielders, but instead he has gone with a 4-2-3-1 with Real Madrid star Arda Guler playing in the 10 role behind the striker.
Check out the full lineups below:
12:30 CET - Good afternoon and welcome to play-off semi-final day! It is a huge day for nations in Europe that have yet to book their plane for the United States this summer. Turkey and Romania get the action-packed evening started at 18:00 CET before the other seven games get underway at 20:45 CET.
