Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Wed 1 April 2026 12:10, UK

West Ham United goalkeeper Mads Hermansen saw his World Cup hopes go up in smoke as Denmark fell to a penalty shootout defeat against the Czech Republic.

Replacing Kasper Schmeichel as the number one for Denmark, Hermansen made his senior debut last Thursday as Brian Riemer’s side set up a playoff final against the Czechs.

Fulham’s Joachim Andersen would level the scoring for the Danes in the 72nd minute, before Wolves’ man Ladislav Krejci put the hosts in the lead once again in extra time.

Bodø-Glimt forward Kasper Høgh would level it up once again in the 111th minute at 2-2, forcing a penalty shootout in Prague.

With Rasmus Højlund, Anders Dreyer and Mathias Jensen all missing from the spot, the Danish media and the Hammers’ shotstopper have reacted to what would be a 3-1 shootout defeat on their travels.

Joy turns into disappointment for Mads Hermansen and Denmark

Hermansen has had to wait patiently for his turn between the sticks for the Danes, with former Leicester goalkeeper Schmeichel holding the position for over a decade.

Less than a week after his senior debut, his World Cup dreams would fade in Prague.

In their post-match player ratings, Danish outlet Tipsbladet analysed his performance, suggesting that the blame for Tuesday’s disaster does not fall in the hands of Hermansen.

“He had no chance on the goal. After that, he wasn’t particularly noticeable, neither positively nor negatively. His distribution from goal kicks wasn’t impressive either, but that shouldn’t be held against him, as they were almost all taken short, after which things looked bad.

“Perhaps he should have been more involved in the battle for the ball on the 2-1 goal. He had a really strong penalty shootout, where he read most of the shots, though he didn’t save them all.”

Ekstra Bladet would look at Hermansen’s time with the national team, where he has had to wait patiently for his chance.

“It took nearly four years from Mads Hermansen’s first involvement with the Danish senior national team until he made his debut in red and white. It happened in the 4-0 victory over North Macedonia, but just five days later, the joy has turned into a huge disappointment,” said the outlet.

Quoting an interview with Viaplay after the clash, Hermansen said: “We’re all feeling terrible. We’re devastated. Our dreams of representing Denmark at the World Cup have gone out the window; we’re heartbroken.”

For Hermansen, now, he turns his attentions back to West Ham, where he has been able to reclaim the number one spot from Alphonse Areola after an initial difficult start to the campaign.

Mads Hermansen is beginning to settle at West Ham

Taking over from Schmeichel at Leicester, as well as with his country, the 25-year-old has established himself as a reliable pair of hands in England.

He did have a terrible start to the season following his move to the London Stadium, though, coming under fire after multiple mistakes during his early days.

He would be recalled by Nuno Espirito Santo in January, after Frenchman Areola had embarked on a run of conceding in 20 matches leading up to the Irons’ win against Burnley.

Now trusted with the gloves once again in the league, the Dane is beginning to settle at the club, looking much more comfortable when compared with the early stages of his Hammers career.

He will have to reset following the World Cup disappointment quickly, with his club locked in a battle for Premier League survival.

Teammate Areola will likely start West Ham’s FA Cup quarter-final against Leeds on Friday, before Hermansen gets back on the pitch against Wolves on 10 April.