QPR midfielder Yeni Ngbakoto also misses out on trip to Russia with DR Congo

Queens Park Rangers forward Conor Washington saw his hopes of playing in next summer’s World Cup end after Northern Ireland were beaten in their play-off against Switzerland.

The Green and White Army were beaten 1-0 in Thursday’s first leg in Belfast, with Ricardo Rodriguez scoring from the spot for the Swiss after controversial penalty as awarded.

Michael O’Neill’s men gave it their all in the second leg in Basel on Sunday, but sadly came up short, meaning Washington and his international colleagues will not be in Russia next summer.

Washington’s QPR team mate Yeni Ngbakoto also saw his hopes of reaching the finals dashed, despite helping DR Congo to a win in their final qualifier.

The Leopards beat Guinea 3-1 in Kinshasa, but with Tunisia drawing 0-0 with Libya in the other game in Group A, it was enough to send the Eagles of Carthage to Russia.

QPR midfielder Massimo Luongo still has a chance of reaching the finals with Australia, who play the second leg of their play-off with Honduras on Wednesday.

The first leg between the sides was played last Friday, when the two teams played out a goalless draw in San Pedro Sula.