World Cup play-offs: Lewandowski's last chance, a return to the big stage for Italy?

Michael Bolton

As excitement builds around Ireland for the World Cup play-off against the Czech Republic, there is a lot on the line across Europe.

From a last chance for some of the game's greatest players, and some smaller nations eyeing up a big shock, here is what you need to know ahead of Thursday's other games.

Denmark v North Macedonia

The winner of this game will face the winner of Ireland v Czech Republic.

Denmark looked set to qualify for the World Cup, but a 4-2 defeat to Scotland in their final group game saw them drop to the play-offs.

For North Macedonia, they finished top of their Nations League group to qualify for the play-offs.

In World Cup qualification, they finished third in their group behind Wales and Belgium and drew Belgium twice.

Denmark had a disappointing 2022 World Cup, finishing bottom of a group they were expected to advance from.

Having previously given heartbreak to Ireland in the play-offs for the 2018 World Cup, Ireland fans will be all too familiar with Denmark following the 5-1 defeat in 2017.

However, North Macedonia love a shock, as shown in their play-off win against Italy before the last World Cup, and will have no problem going in as the underdogs.

Ukraine v Sweden

A country with bigger worries than football, Ukraine will play this play-off at a neutral venue in Spain as the invasion of its country by Russia continues.

Finishing second in their group behind France, Ukraine will hope to go one step further, as they were defeated by Wales in the play-off final.

For Sweden, it is the first game in charge for Graham Potter.

The former Chelsea manager will return to where he found success as a club manager.

Without star players Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski, the pressure will fall to Viktor Gyökeres.

Last chance for Lewandowski

For one of the best strikers the world has seen in the last 15 years, it is the last chance for another World Cup for Robert Lewandowski.

At 37, the Barcelona striker will have the pressure of the nation on his shoulders as they face Albania.

had a brief spell away from Poland’s national team last year, making himself unavailable after he was stripped of the captaincy by then-coach Michal Probierz. Probierz resigned after Poland lost to Finland without Lewandowski, who promptly returned to the squad in August under new coach Jan Urban.

Italy return to the big stage

Since winning the World Cup in 2006, Italy's record at the World Cup has been very disappointing.

Following group stage exits in 2010 and 2014, Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018 and 2022, losing in the play-offs.

Four-time winners of the World Cup, it is incredible to think they have not won a knockout game in the World Cup since they won it 20 years ago.

For Northern Ireland, they have not been to the World Cup since 1986.

The winner will face Wales or Bosnia in the final next week.