In the end
Ireland were not quite good enough to force a twist in a taut but predictable drama. They tried their damnedest but inspiration eluded them and then, in the 73rd minute, so did concentration. Martin Braithwaite stepped in to send Denmark to Euro 2020 with their first shot on target.
Matt Doherty headed an equaliser five minutes from time but the valiant hosts were to fall agonisingly short. Ireland may still reach the finals through play-offs in March. They could meet Bosnia, Wales, Slovakia or
Northern Ireland depending on the result of Wales’s match against Hungary on Tuesday.