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In the 2026 North America-Central America World Cup, South Korea’s initial match will be against either Denmark or Czechia.

Denmark won against North Macedonia with a score of 4-0 in the early hours of the 27th during the European final playoff Group D semifinal. Denmark had difficulty breaking through North Macedonia’s defensive strategy until halftime, but they scored first in the 4th minute of the second half through Mikkel Damsgaard from Brentford. Forward Gustav Isaksen of Lazio then netted two consecutive goals in the 13th and 14th minutes of the second half, securing the match. A header by Christian Nørgaard of Arsenal in the 30th minute of the second half sealed the victory, sending Denmark to the final playoff match.

Czechia, competing against Ireland simultaneously, moved on to the final following a thrilling penalty shootout. Czechia scored an own goal in the 23rd minute when Troy Parrott, playing for AZ Alkmaar, netted the first goal for Ireland in the 19th minute of the first half. Nevertheless, Patrick Schick, from Leverkusen, leveled the score with a penalty in the 27th minute of the first half. New captain Ladislav Krejčí, of Wolverhampton, found the back of the net in the 41st minute of the second half, bringing the game to a 2-2 draw and sending it into extra time.

The stalemate continued into extra time, resulting in a penalty shootout. Ireland’s goalkeeper Quinn Kelher, from Brentford, saved the third penalty from Czechia, creating a boost in confidence, but Czechia’s goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček, of Braga, bravely blocked Ireland’s fourth and fifth penalties. Czechia emerged victorious in the shootout with a score of 4-3, earning their place in the final playoff match.

In the European final playoff Group A semifinal, which took place simultaneously, Italy won against Northern Ireland with a score of 2-0, securing their progression. Italy will now compete against Bosnia and Herzegovina, who eliminated Wales through a penalty shootout, in the final. In Group B, Sweden triumphed over Ukraine with a result of 3-1, thanks to a hat-trick by Viktor Gyökeres from Arsenal. Sweden will face Poland, who defeated Albania 2-1, in the final playoff match for World Cup qualification.

A intense confrontation took place in the Group C semifinal. Kosovo, listed 91st by FIFA, overcame Slovakia, ranked 48th, with a score of 4-3 in a match full of goals to advance to the final. Kosovo will compete against Turkey, who secured a 1-0 victory over Romania, in the crucial match for a spot in the World Cup.

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