Ireland forward Sammie Szmodics says he is “on the mend” after losing consciousness following a heavy collision with an opponent during the World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic.
Szmodics collided with Czech player Stepan Chaloupek as they headed for a high ball during extra time of Thursday’s match in Prague, where the Czechs won on penalties. Szmodics immediately fell to the ground and appeared to exhibit involuntary arm movements.
Medical staff treated Szmodics on the ground for several minutes before he was moved onto a stretcher with support for his head and neck and reportedly taken to a hospital.
In an update he posted on Instagram on Friday, Szmodics thanked the medical staff “who acted so quickly to help me.”
“On the mend – we’re going again,” he wrote.
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Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said after the match that Szmodics, who plays for Derby County in England’s second championship, would spend a night in Prague.
Szmodics had been on the field for less than two minutes when the incident happened. He came off the bench late in extra time and had to be substituted himself.
After extra time the score was 2-2 and the Czechs won the shootout 4-3.
Published on March 27, 2026
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