Italy to miss World Cup again following stunning upset loss to North Macedonia
European champion Italy will miss the World Cup. Once more.
The unthinkable occurred in Palermo, Italy on Thursday because the Azzurri have been crushed 1-0 by North Macedonia following a last-gasp objective by Aleksandar Trajkovski of their playoff semifinal.
Italy had 32 pictures on objective, in comparison with simply 4 for its opponent. Nevertheless it was Trajkovski’s effort from outdoors the world as defenders closed in round him that made the distinction.
It was North Macedonia’s solely actual alternative after a totally dominant efficiency by Italy, which missed quite a few probabilities and had a number of others saved by visiting goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.
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However, similar to 5 years in the past, on the ultimate whistle the Italy gamers fell to the bottom in disbelief and disappointment — with a number of of them in tears — because the opposition celebrated wildly.
Italy additionally didn’t qualify for the 2018 World Cup after shedding to Sweden in a two-legged playoff the earlier November. Lacking two straight World Cups is an unprecedented low level for the four-time champion, particularly simply months after profitable Euro 2020.
“I am happy with my teammates, we’re all destroyed and damaged however we’ve to start out once more,” Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini stated. “In the mean time it is tough to speak about it, it can stay a terrific gap.
However Roberto Mancini, who took over as Italy coach after the final qualifying failure, stated on Thursday that the frustration “was too nice to speak in regards to the future.”
“I really feel that simply as final July was the very best factor I skilled at an expert stage, that is the best disappointment,” Mancini added.
“Soccer is like that, generally unimaginable issues occur.”
Italy’s missed alternatives
North Macedonia will play Portugal on Tuesday for a spot within the match in Qatar after Cristiano Ronaldo’s facet beat Turkey 3-1. Euro 2020 is the one main match North Macedonia has certified for.
Mancini was lacking quite a few gamers that helped Italy win the European Championship final summer season and needed to discipline a makeshift defence, but it surely was barely troubled by North Macedonia till the very finish.
Italy acquired off to an aggressive begin however struggled to discover a well past the wall of pink shirts.
The Azzurri have been gifted a terrific probability within the thirtieth minute after a horrendous kick from the North Macedonia goalkeeper left Domenico Berardi with an open objective however he scuffed his shot and Dimitrievski acquired again in time to make the save.
Italy was getting nearer and Dimitrievski needed to make one other save, this time to palm Lorenzo Insigne’s effort across the put up.
North Macedonia had its first try on objective on the stroke of halftime when Enis Bardi threaded a ball by means of for Trajkovski however his effort was straight at Giangluigi Donnarumma.
Berardi virtually atoned for his first-half error early within the second interval however noticed one try nicely saved by Dimitrievski and curled one other simply previous the left put up.
Italy was laying siege to the objective however noticed every thing charged down by North Macedonia.
And it was made to pay for its profligacy in stoppage time as Trajkovski fired a low shot into the underside left nook from 25 yards, leaving Mancini trying shocked on the sideline.
