Italy to miss World Cup again after loss to North Macedonia

European champion Italy will miss the World Cup. Once more.

The unthinkable occurred in Palermo on Thursday because the Azzurri had been crushed 1-0 by North Macedonia following a last-gasp aim by Aleksandar Trajkovski of their playoff semifinal.

Italy had 32 photographs on aim, in comparison with simply 4 for its opponent. However it was Trajkovski’s effort from exterior the realm 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 lot of probabilities and had a number of others saved by visiting goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.

However, identical to 5 years in the past, on the last 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 got to start out once more,” Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini mentioned. “In the mean time it is troublesome to speak about it, it is going to stay an important gap.

North Macedonia gamers have a good time as Italy gamers reacts after their staff’s elimination on the finish of the World Cup qualifying play-off soccer match between Italy and North Macedonia, at Renzo Barbera stadium, in Palermo, Italy, Thursday, March 24, 2022. North Macedonia gained 1-0.
(AP Photograph/Antonio Calanni)

“I hope that the coach will keep as a result of he’s important for this staff. Now we’ve got to return to profitable, go to the Euros and in 4 years time return to this blessed World Cup.”

However Roberto Mancini, who took over as Italy coach after the final qualifying failure, mentioned 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 perfect factor I skilled at knowledgeable stage, that is the best disappointment,” Mancini added.

“Soccer is like that, generally unimaginable issues occur.”

North Macedonia will play Portugal on Tuesday for a spot within the event in Qatar after Cristiano Ronaldo’s aspect beat Turkey 3-1. Euro 2020 is the one main event North Macedonia has certified for.

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Mancini was lacking quite a lot of gamers that helped Italy win the European Championship final summer season and needed to area a makeshift defence, however it was barely troubled by North Macedonia till the very finish.

Italy acquired off to an aggressive begin however struggled to discover a well beyond the wall of crimson shirts.

North Macedonia gamers have a good time as Italy gamers reacts after their staff’s elimination on the finish of the World Cup qualifying play-off soccer match between Italy and North Macedonia, at Renzo Barbera stadium, in Palermo, Italy, Thursday, March 24, 2022. North Macedonia gained 1-0.
(AP Photograph/Antonio Calanni)

The Azzurri had been gifted an important probability within the thirtieth minute after a horrendous kick from the North Macedonia goalkeeper left Domenico Berardi with an open aim however he scuffed his shot and Dimitrievski acquired again in time to make the save.

Dimitrievski did higher moments later when he fingertipped Ciro Motionless’s angled shot over the bar.

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 aim on the stroke of halftime when Enis Bardi threaded a ball via 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 effectively saved by Dimitrievski and curled one other simply previous the left put up.

Italy was laying siege to the aim however noticed all the things 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.