Mamma mia: Italy fails in shootout to miss third World Cup in a row
Updated ,first published
Italy’s national torment endures. The four-time champions will miss their third successive World Cup after losing a do-or-die qualifying play-off to Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 on penalties, another crippling blow for a once-mighty football country.
Scores were tied at 1-1 after extra time at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica, where the Azzurri were reduced to 10 men just before half-time as Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for chopping down Amar Memic as he was running in on goal.
It took until the 79th minute for Bosnia and Herzegovina to equalise through Haris Tabakovic, sparking a late rally spurred on by a vibrant and partisan home crowd – but neither side could produce a winner, and so it came down to a penalty shootout.
Francesco Pio Esposito, however, blazed Italy’s first over the bar – and then Bryan Cristante slammed their third into the woodwork, allowing Esmir Bajraktarevic to etch his name into national folklore with the winner.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, who came to Italy’s rescue time and again during the preceding 120 minutes, could not get near any of the home side’s penalties, which drove Bosnia and Herzegovina to just their second World Cup since the break-up of Yugoslavia in 1990.
Even more impressively, they prevailed in the shootout despite the non-involvement of their captain and talisman Edin Dzeko, who was injured in the final action of the second half of extra time.
Azzurri players were left stunned and shattered, with disbelief etched all over their faces.
Assuming they make the next one in 2030 – which, on the available evidence, is no guarantee – it will have been 16 years between appearances for Italy, an unimaginable outcome for one of the game’s traditional powers.
The Azzurri failed to qualify for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 after being eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively. But not even the World Cup’s controversial expansion to 48 teams – including 16 spots for UEFA nations – could change their fortunes.
It’s a blow for FIFA and the three host nations of this year’s World Cup – the United States, Canada and Mexico – who were hoping for the economic boost of Italy’s participation, particularly given the size of the country’s diaspora across North America.
And it’s a huge setback for Italy’s wounded reputation in football. The recriminations will begin instantly – but they have happened twice before, and did nothing to help.
Bosnia’s famous victory was not the only shootout in Europe on Wednesday morning (AEDT) as the World Cup qualifying play-offs concluded. Czechia also defeated Denmark 3-1 on penalties, despite trailing in both regulation time and in extra time.
Socceroos to face Turkey in Cup opener
Meanwhile, Turkey ended a 24-year wait to qualify for the World Cup by beating Kosovo 1-0 in their play-off final on Tuesday, sealing a return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 2002.
Forward Kerem Akturkoglu scored the only goal in the 53rd minute, turning the ball in from close range after Orkun Kokcu’s shot, following a driving run from Kenan Yildiz down the left.
It means Turkey will join Australia, the United States and Paraguay in Group D, with their opening match to be played against the Socceroos at BC Place in Vancouver on June 13.
Turkey, ranked 25th in the world, had fallen short in qualifying campaigns over the past two decades and arrived under pressure to deliver, with coach Vincenzo Montella overseeing a squad blending emerging talents and experienced internationals.
For Kosovo, ranked 79th and playing in front of a sold-out crowd, the defeat brought an end to a remarkable run that had taken them to the brink of a historic debut at a major tournament, less than a decade after joining FIFA and UEFA.
Elsewhere, Sweden defeated Poland 3-2 to book their ticket to the World Cup as Viktor Gyokeres struck two minutes from time to decide a frantic clash in Stockholm. The Swedes will slot into Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia for their first World Cup appearance since 2018.
The two remaining World Cup intercontinental play-off spots will be decided later on Wednesday (AEDT) in matches between DR Congo and Jamaica, and Bolivia and Graham Arnold’s Iraq.
with Reuters