Categories: FeaturedSports

European Champions Italy to Miss 2nd Consecutive World Cup after Home Loss to North Macedonia

Italy missed out on a second consecutive World Cup after losing 1-0 at home to North Macedonia, with Aleksandar Trajkovski scoring the winner in second-half stoppage time.

European champions Italy did not qualify for the World Cup four years ago, their first failure to reach the tournament since 1958, but they dominated from the off in Palermo and looked on course for victory.

The hosts became more desperate in their search for a winner after the break as chances continued to come and go before, in stoppage time, Trajkovski arrowed in a stunning winner to spark wild North Macedonian celebrations.

Roberto Mancini’s Italy side had 32 efforts at goal in the match, but somehow fell short, with North Macedonia going on to play Portugal in the play-off final on Tuesday – live on Sky Sports – for a place at the World Cup.

“It is a huge disappointment,” Italy midfielder Jorginho told Rai Sport. “It hurts, it hurts so much. We have always created and dominated matches but we have not been able to finish teams off. It is not to blame anyone in particular but it is the reality.

“I don’t know why we haven’t been able to do this, I am also involved in this, and it hurts me to think about it.”
Without veteran pairing Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini through injury, Italy’s makeshift defence was barely troubled in the first half, as all the action took place down the other end.
Domenico Berardi had the best of the openings having been presented with the ball after North Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski misplaced a pass, but the Sassuolo forward’s shot was tame, with Dimitrievski getting back to make the save.

Ciro Immobile also wasted a glorious first-half chance for Italy when blazing over the bar from a good position. Berardi was again guilty of profligacy after the break, shooting over when he should have hit the target.

As the match wore on, Italy nerves kicked in and their finishing became more erratic. Mancini shuffled his pack, giving Cagliari striker Joao Pedro his debut, but with their only meaningful attack of the match, North Macedonia seized their chance.

Italy did not look to be in too much danger, but Trajkovski, who plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Fayha, had other ideas, writing his name into North Macedonian folklore with a shot that crept inside the post to stun the home fans.

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Trump Nominates Pam Bondi as Attorney General After Gaetz Withdraws

Pam Bondi, former Florida attorney general and Trump ally, has been nominated as US attorney…

1 hour ago

Canadian Town Council Faces Deadlock As Newly Elected Mayor, Officials Refuse To Pledge Allegiance to King Charles III

Canada’s Dawson City’s newly elected council has stalled governance, rejecting oath to King Charles in…

1 hour ago

Suspected APC Thugs Attack PDP Secretariat In Edo, Destroy, Steal Properties Worth Millions

Edo PDP has accused the APC of orchestrating an attack on party secretariat, destroying and…

1 hour ago

Nigeria Partners With IOM On Revised Migration Policy, Reveals 6.1 Million Nigerians Displaced Amidst Insecurity

The FG has partnered with IOM, announced a strategy to review migration policy and address…

2 hours ago

Dangote Group Took Up The Challenge, Built A Refinery When Shell, Chevron, Other IOCs Couldn’t, Says Dangote VP Devakumar Edwin

Dangote Group’s Edwin Devakumar has said that by building the refinery, Dangote did what IOCs…

2 hours ago

House Deputy Speaker Kalu Says Governors Receptive To Proposed Constitution Amendments

Benjamin Kalu has revealed that Nigerian governors are supportive, committed to reviewing the 161 proposed…

2 hours ago