PRAGUE: Czechia claimed their first World Cup berth since 2006 by winning penalty kicks 3-1 in Prague.
The teams were tied 1-1 going into extra time. Czechia took the lead on Ladislav Krejci's score, but Denmark's Kasper Hogh delivered in the 111th minute to force penalty kicks.
Czechia, which jumped from 43rd to 41st in the Fifa rankings with its upset of No 20 Denmark, collect a Group A spot. Mexico, South Africa and South Korea round out the quartet.
SWEDEN 3, POLAND 2
Viktor Gyokeres scored in the 88th minute to lift Sweden to the slight upset in Solna, Sweden, and the accompanying World Cup berth.
Poland lost despite owning 66.7% of possession. Poland also claimed an edge in shots on goal (7-5) and corner kicks (9-2).
Sweden joins Group F with Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
TURKEY 1, KOSOVO 0
Turkey will participate in the World Cup for the first time since 2004 thanks to its victory in Pristina, Kosovo.
Turkey broke through in the 53rd minute when Kerem Akturkoglu one-timed a shot from close range. With the win, the side moved up three spots in the rankings to No 22.
Turkey advances to take the final spot in Group D alongside the United States, Paraguay and Australia.
DR CONGO 1, JAMAICA 0
Axel Tuanzebe broke the deadlock in the 100th minute and sent DR Congo into the World Cup with an intercontinental playoff win over Jamaica in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Brian Cipenga's low corner kick found the knee of a charging Tuanzebe, whose shot hopped into the far corner before Jamaica and Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake could dive to stop it.
The nation has been to just one previous World Cup, 1974, when it was known as Zaire. DR Congo will compete in Group K against Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan. — Reuters
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