How North Macedonia Stunned Italy Out Of World Cup

Euro 2020 winners Italy were thwarted by a 92nd minute strike by North Macedonia in the World Cup qualifiers playoff on Thursday 24 March as they suffered a 1-0 loss at home in a qualifier for the first time in their history.

The Azzurri dominated from the first whistle yet despite creating numerous chances, they failed to truly test the opponent’s goalkeeper. Heroic defending and a perfect game plan from the visitors kept the game deadlocked as both teams went into the break.

Italy continued to knock on the door but a dogged North Macedonia defence continued to repel the Italians. The game seemed like it was going to extra time after a goalless draw heading into the 90th minute, but the visitors snatched a memorable underdog victory deep into added time as Aleksandar Trajkovski produced a stunner from outside the box to beat Gigi Donnarumma.

North Macedonia, winners on the night as they proceed to the final round of the Playoffs where they come up against Portugal looking to continue their fairytale story and secure qualification for a first ever World Cup appearance in their history.

For the Italians, derailed, deranged and downcast, they suffered a defeat that condemns them to miss out on yet another World Cup after failing to qualify in 2018 when they lost to Sweden.

The four-time World champions are now on a 12-year run without a World Cup appearance despite having 32 shots on goal as opposed to North Macedonia’s four. Since lifting the trophy in 2006, Italy have failed to qualify for more World Cup tournaments (2) than they have won World Cup games (1). Their last one was in the 2014 Group stage against England, 7 years and 283 days ago.

The Azzurri now continue the post-Euro curse as they join Denmark and Greece as the only defending European champions that failed to qualify for the World Cup.

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