Italy’s World Cup exile continues after they fell to a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina in their playoff final on Tuesday following a 1-1 draw, usatoday.com reports.
Four-time champions Italy had lost out at the playoff stage to miss the last two World Cups (2018 and 2022) and their last qualification in 2014 coincided with Bosnia’s only previous appearance.
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Italy got off to the perfect start, with Moise Kean putting them ahead in the 15th minute, but had Alessandro Bastoni sent off four minutes before the break to raise the hopes of the home side.
Bosnia equalized in the 79th minute through Haris Tabakovic and both Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed their penalties while the hosts made no mistake from the spot to repeat their semi-final shootout win over Wales.
In other play-offs matches on Tuesday, Turkey beat Kosovo 1-0, Sweden edged out Poland 3-2 and Czech Republic overcame Denmark on penalties after regulation and extra finished 2-2.
2 Comments
I hope people who think leaving a few old men of super Eagles to prosecute 2030 qualifiers will now have a rethink on that idea right now.
Many African nations blooded many young players at the last afcon and ARE EXPECTED to peak when the 2030 qualifiers begin next year.
We are relying on players who know they WILL not make the 2030 squad if they succeed during qualifiers.
You saw the nonchalant rubbish last night against ORDINARY JORDAN abi…
Italy has missed 3 world cups.
Who be Bosnia before.
48 teams.
We failed to qualify for the first time it was 48 teams also. 32 would have been worst.
The handwriting is on the wall.
In Omo9ja voice, iree oh
Not qualifying for a Third Consecutive World Cup is a possibility….it is a living reality. The same way, not qualifying for the World Cup with 10 African slots is.
So continue rebuilding the team with players on the wrong side of their peaks ey. Keep it up.
The scales will fall off when the time comes………LMAOooo