Italy miss out on World Cup again after Bosnia and Herzegovina’s shootout triumph
The Guardian • • sports
Key Points:
- Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after losing on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their playoff final, marking their third consecutive absence from the tournament.
- Despite an early lead from Italy’s Moise Kean, Bosnia and Herzegovina dominated much of the match, equalizing late and ultimately winning the shootout by converting all their penalties.
- Italy played much of the match with 10 men after Alessandro Bastoni was sent off before halftime, struggling to maintain control and create chances against a resilient Bosnian side.
- Italy’s manager Gennaro Gattuso expressed deep disappointment, apologizing for the team's failure and acknowledging the ongoing crisis for a nation that has won four World Cups but now faces repeated qualification failures.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina's energetic and skillful performance earned them a well-deserved spot in the upcoming World Cup, while Italy’s ongoing struggles continue to cast doubt on their future in international football.
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