🚨 Italy knocked out of World Cup qualifiers by minnows North Macedonia

EURO champions Italy is not going to be within the 2022 World Cup after they had been surprised 1-0 by a late North Macedonia objective on Thursday night time. 

The Azzurri went into the match as clear favourites, and for lengthy durations appeared set for the win, however the guests held on and dramatically received it late due to Aleksandar Trajkovski’s beautiful 92nd strike from distance.

The loss means Roberto Mancini’s males will for the second time in a row miss the World Cup, having additionally sat out the 2018 event in Russia, the primary time for the reason that 1958 showpiece. 

Italy had 32 photographs on objective within the match in Palermo, with the likes of Domenico Berardi and Ciro Motionless coming shut quite a few occasions. 

In the long run, their dominance bore no fruits and the guests took their solely vital likelihood as Trajkovski, who performs in Saudi Arabia for Al-Fayha silenced the gang in added time. 

Donnarumma is so rubbed 😂 what a objective by North Macedonia although pic.twitter.com/3YU1mS7zDE

— 🇵🇸🇾🇪¢ (@abzzinhoo) March 24, 2022

“It’s a large disappointment,” Italy midfielder Jorginho advised Rai Sport. “It hurts, it hurts a lot. We have now at all times created and dominated matches however we now have not been in a position to end groups off. It’s not accountable anybody particularly however it’s the actuality.

“I do not know why we have not been ready to do that, I’m additionally concerned on this, and it hurts me to consider it.”

North Macedonia will now face Portugal within the playoff semi-final because the hunt for one of many three remaining tickets proceed.