Faroe Islands stun Czech Republic, ranked 97 places above them, in 2-1 win

The Faroe Islands, ranked 136th in the world, stunned Czech Republic 2-1 in the World Cup qualifiers on Sunday, thanks to a late winner from substitute Martin Agnarsson a minute after coming on.

The North Atlantic archipelago with a population of about 55,000 had also shocked Montenegro 4-0 on Thursday and now sit third in Group L, one point below the second-placed Czechs with one match to go.

Hanus Sorensen put Faroe Islands ahead in the second half, with Adam Karabec equalising for the visitors in the 78th minute. Then a defensive mistake from 39th-ranked Czech Republic allowed Agnarsson to shoot into an empty net three minutes later, sealing the win.

Faroe Islands, who have won four World Cup qualifiers in a single cycle for the first time, will look to keep their dream of reaching a maiden World Cup finals alive when they visit group leaders Croatia on November 14.

The group winners qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while the runners-up progress to playoffs.