Italy 0-1 North Macedonia: Jorginho's penalty misses v Switzerland proved costly
Italy were involved in one of the biggest World Cup upsets in history on Thursday evening.
Roberto Mancini Sport News
Italy miss out on World Cup again but Portugal, Wales and Sweden reach play-off finals
North Macedonia on Thursday, but Portugal, Wales and Sweden all made it through to qualifying play-off deciders. Four-time World Cup winners Italy were stunned in Palermo as Aleksandar Trajkovski -- who used to play club football in the Sicilian city -- fired past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the second minute of injury time to give North Macedonia an incredible 1-0 victory. Italy will again be absent from the World Cup in Qatar after also failing to qualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia when they lost in a play-off to Sweden.
Watch: Crazy Scenes As North Macedonia Beat Italy To Pull Off One Of Football's Greatest Upsets
North Macedonia produced one of the greatest upsets in world football as they won 1-0 in a play-off semi-final to end Italy's hopes of qualifying for FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Aleksandar Trajkovski scored in the second minute of stoppage time to stun the European champions. As soon as the goal went in, North Macedonian players and support staff broke into wild celebrations even as the Italian players watched in horror. North Macedonia will now take on Portugal in Porto on Tuesday for a chance to be in Qatar in November.
Italy humiliated by North Macedonia to miss second successive World Cup
Italy will miss their second World Cup in a row after slumping to a shock 1-0 play-off semi-final defeat to North Macedonia on Thursday.
Italy Miss 2nd Successive FIFA World Cup After Shock Loss To North Macedonia
Roberto Mancini was reeling from the most painful defeat of his managerial career after Thursday's stunning, last-gasp 0-1 loss to North Macedonia meant they missed out on their second World Cup in a row. Mancini had become a national hero after leading the Azzurri back from the horrors of failing to reach the 2018 tournament and winning Euro 2020 last summer. However performance levels have dropped since those balmy nights and after throwing away automatic qualification in November Italy were dumped out in humiliating fashion in Palermo in a fraught play-off semi-final.
Italy's Roberto Mancini on World Cup miss after North Macedonia shock: 'I don't know what to say'
Italy manager Roberto Mancini was left with a loss for words following his side's shocking 1-0 defeat to North Macedonia that will leave the Azzurri out of the World Cup for the second straight time.
Mancini unsure on future after Italy lose to North Macedonia and miss out on 2022 World Cup
Roberto Mancini has admitted to being unsure about his future as Italy head coach after seeing his side lose to North Macedonia and miss out on a place at the 2022 World Cup.
Soccer - World Cup woes continue for Italy's European champions
Italy broke English hearts last July as they won the European Championship final but after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second straight tournament they have left fans thinking their Wembley triumph was a flash in the pan.