'We Still Don't Believe It': Italy In Disbelief Over Another World Cup Failure
#Italy #World Cup #qualification #Bosnia and Herzegovina #penalty shootout #Gennaro Gattuso #Azzurri #European Championship
📌 Key Takeaways
- Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup after losing a penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The defeat came despite an early lead, with a red card and late equalizer forcing extra time before the shootout loss.
- This marks a historic low for the four-time champions, who will now go at least 16 years without playing in a World Cup.
- Italy's coach acknowledged systemic struggles, noting failures in both national team and club performances.
- The loss adds to recent playoff eliminations, contrasting with Italy's 2021 European Championship victory.
📖 Full Retelling
One of soccer’s historic powers has reached a once-unfathomable low. Four-time champion Italy failed to qualify for a third-straight World Cup after getting beat in a penalty shootout with 10 men at 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs on Tuesday. Their matchup with Bosnia and Herzegovina was a chance at redemption, but alas, they will watch from home and endure another four-year waiting period to get another shot. Moise Kean scored early on for Italy but then Azzurri center back Alessandro Bastoni was sent off with a direct red card before the break and Bosnia substitute Haris Tabakovic equalized in the 79th to send the game into extra time at 1-1. The defeat added more misery for Italy’s once-proud national team after being eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively, in the qualifying playoffs for the last two World Cups. "It’s too easy to say what’s working and what’s not working," Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said. "The fact is that Italy has failed to qualify for three World Cups. We’re having a tough time achieving our goals, both with the national team and with our clubs." Bosnia won the shootout 4-1 and qualified for the first time since 2014 — its only previous appearance. In the shootout, Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed their spot kicks and U.S.-born Esmir Bajraktarević converted the decisive penalty for Bosnia. "We still don’t believe it — that we’re out and that it happened in this manner," Italy defender Leonardo Spinazzola said. "It’s upsetting for everyone. For us, for our families, and for all the kids who have never seen Italy at a World Cup." Italy’s latest ouster means that the 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006 champions will go at least 16 years without even playing a match at soccer’s biggest event. Italy’s World Cup struggles go back all the way to 2010 and 2014, having failed to advance from its group on both occasions. Although the Azzurri did win the European Championship in 2021. Italy’s last World Cup knoc
🏷️ Themes
Sports Failure, National Disappointment
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- No Data Available - BROWSE BY SPORTS & TEAMS PLAYERS SHOWS PERSONALITIES TOPICS Built on FIFA Men's World Cup FIFA Men's World Cup 'We Still Don't Believe It': Italy In Disbelief Over Another World Cup Failure Published Mar. 31, 2026 8:49 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link One of soccer’s historic powers has reached a once-unfathomable low. Four-time champion Italy failed to qualify for a third-straight World Cup after getting beat in a penalty shootout with 10 men at 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs on Tuesday. Their matchup with Bosnia and Herzegovina was a chance at redemption, but alas, they will watch from home and endure another four-year waiting period to get another shot. Moise Kean scored early on for Italy but then Azzurri center back Alessandro Bastoni was sent off with a direct red card before the break and Bosnia substitute Haris Tabakovic equalized in the 79th to send the game into extra time at 1-1. The defeat added more misery for Italy’s once-proud national team after being eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia , respectively, in the qualifying playoffs for the last two World Cups. "It’s too easy to say what’s working and what’s not working," Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said. "The fact is that Italy has failed to qualify for three World Cups. We’re having a tough time achieving our goals, both with the national team and with our clubs." (Photo by Claudio Villa - FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images) Bosnia won the shootout 4-1 and qualified for the first time since 2014 — its only previous appearance. In the shootout, Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed their spot kicks and U.S.-born Esmir Bajraktarević converted the decisive penalty for Bosnia. "We still don’t believe it — that we’re out and that it happened in this manner," Italy defender Leonardo Spinazzola said. "It’s upsetting for everyone. For us, for our families, and for all the kids who have never seen Italy at a World Cup." Italy’s latest ouster means that the 1...
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