Slovakia shattered Northern Ireland’s hopes of snatching a valuable point after Tomáš Bobček struck deep into stoppage time to earn a dramatic 1-0 win, sealing a play-off place for next summer’s FIFA World Cup.

Northern Ireland, whose last World Cup appearance dates back to 1986, began brightly and carved out two early chances. Isaac Price forced Martin Dúbravka into a save before Dan Ballard sent a towering header just wide as Michael O’Neill’s side looked to strike first in Bratislava.

Slovakia then produced the game’s best chance of the first half when David Strelec latched onto a through ball and fired a fierce effort against the near post. Just minutes later, Dion Charles almost ended his year-long goal drought, heading straight at Dúbravka from close range. Price and George Saville also had sights of goal before the break but failed to trouble the target.

At the other end, Milan Škriniar came within inches of opening the scoring with a dipping volley from the edge of the box, the effort narrowly clearing Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s crossbar. Despite a tense and open 45 minutes, both sides reached halftime goalless.

Slovakia, unbeaten at home in this fixture, thought they had finally broken through shortly after the restart. Lukáš Haraslín’s wicked low free-kick nestled inside the far post, but VAR intervened, ruling Škriniar offside and obstructing the goalkeeper’s view. Remarkably, Haraslín produced another world-class set piece minutes later, this time flicked in by Strelec—only for VAR once again to intervene, penalising a handball in the build-up.

With two goals chalked off and momentum building, Northern Ireland were pinned inside their own half, struggling to escape Slovakia’s relentless pressure. Strelec spurned yet another chance when he shot straight at Peacock-Farrell from 10 yards out, leaving the visitors within touching distance of a precious clean sheet and a play-off spot of their own.

But their resistance finally collapsed in stoppage time. A deep corner caused chaos in the penalty area, and substitute Bobček reacted fastest, guiding a half-volley into the net after Peacock-Farrell failed to claim the cross. The late blow sealed Slovakia’s fourth win in five matches and kept alive their slim hopes of finishing top of the group, though they must beat Germany in their final qualifier to achieve it.

Northern Ireland’s frustration deepened when Ballard was shown a second yellow card in added time, reducing them to 10 men. However, results elsewhere ensured O’Neill’s side will still take part in the play-offs in March, despite the heartbreak in Bratislava.