THE Faroe Islands stunned the Czech Republic to keep their narrow but remarkable World Cup qualification chances alive.

The Nordic islanders, ranked 136th in the world, are third and one point below the second-placed Czechs with one game left in the battle for a play-off spot for the 2026 finals in North America.

It was the Faroes’ third victory in a row and they are yet to lose by more than a goal in Group L.

However, they still need a minor miracle next month as they visit leaders Croatia on 14 November, while the Czechs’ last game is against pointless Gibraltar three days later.

The Faroes led in Torshavn through Hanus Sorensen’s fine strike, with Adam Karabec equalising before Martin Agnarsson took advantage of some shambolic defending to score an 81st-minute winner.

The hosts, who are an autonomous territory of Denmark, had never won more than two games in any qualification campaign before. They have won four this time.

With a population of just under 55,000 they would be by far the smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup.

Croatia will all but guarantee their place in the World Cup with a win over Gibraltar later on Sunday.

That would take them three points above the Czechs – with a better goal difference of at least 13.(BBC Sport).