ALERMO, Sicily — 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 objective by Aleksandar Trajkovski of their playoff semifinal.
Italy had 32 pictures on objective, in comparison with simply 4 for its opponent. But it surely was Trajkovski’s effort from outdoors the realm as defenders closed in round him that made the distinction.
It was North Macedonia’s solely actual alternative after a very dominant efficiency by Italy, which missed numerous possibilities and had a number of others saved by visiting goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.
However, identical 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 successful Euro 2020.
“I’m pleased with my teammates, we're all destroyed and damaged however we now have to start out once more,” Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini stated. “In the mean time it’s tough to speak about it, it would stay an incredible gap.
“I hope that the coach will keep as a result of he's important for this staff. Now we now have to return to successful, 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, 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 knowledgeable stage, that is the best disappointment,” Mancini added.
“Soccer is like that, generally unbelievable 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.
Mancini was lacking numerous gamers that helped Italy win the European Championship final summer time and needed to discipline 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 past the wall of crimson shirts.
The Azzurri had been gifted an incredible likelihood 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.
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 objective on the stroke of halftime when Enis Bardi threaded a ball by way of for Trajkovski however his effort was straight at Giangluigi Donnarumma.
Berardi nearly 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 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.
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