Posted in World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers

An unexpected SHOCK! with Italy and Macedonia World Cup!!

 March 24, 2022

Italy will not compete in the 2022 World Cup after being defeated in a play-off in Palermo by North Macedonia.

In the 92nd minute,

Aleksandar Trajkovski picked up the lost ball,

raced forward, and unleashed a spectacular winner from outside the box.

North Macedonia’s bench erupted in cheers,

as Italy’s players and coaching staff knelt in front of their home fans.

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It means Italy has failed to qualify for the World Cup for the second time in a row,

assuring the Azzurri will have to wait at least 12 years between appearances at the sport’s pinnacle tournament.

Watch the defeat goal of Italy for the first time by Macedonia!!

It has only been eight months since Roberto Mancini’s side celebrated one of their greatest victories,

defeating England at Wembley to win Euro 2020 despite being considered outsiders entering the tournament.

The Shock of 2022

However, they have now paid the price for a fragmented

– if previously unblemished – World Cup qualification campaign in which they placed second behind Switzerland in their group,

winning four and losing four of their eight games.

On Thursday, Italy dominated possession but couldn’t break through the stubborn North Macedonia defence, managing only five shots on target from 32 attempts.

Full Time : Italy 0 – 1 North Macedonia