Italy to overlook World Cup finals after shock defeat to North Macedonia

Italy to miss World Cup finals after shock defeat to North Macedonia

Italy missed out on the World Cup finals for the second time in a row after dropping 1-0 at residence to North Macedonia, with Aleksandar Trajkovski scoring the winner in stoppage time within the second half.

European champions Italy didn’t qualify for the World Cup finals 4 years in the past, their first failure to succeed in the event since 1958, however they dominated Palermo after the ultimate and seemed on their strategy to victory.

The hosts grew to become much more determined of their seek for a winner after the break as alternatives continued to emerge and go earlier than then, in harm time, Trajkovski fired a surprising winner to spark unbridled North Macedonian celebrations.

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Aleksandar Trajkovski’s late purpose gave North Macedonia a shock victory over Italy of their World Cup qualifying match in Palermo.

The Italian crew led by Roberto Mancini scored 32 targets within the match, however someway failed, as North Macedonia will play Portugal within the last on Tuesday – reside Sky Sports activities – For a spot within the World Cup.

“It is an enormous disappointment,” mentioned Italy midfielder Jorginho. Ray Sport. “It hurts, it hurts a lot. We at all times created matches and managed them however could not end groups. Nobody particularly could be blamed however that’s the actuality.

“I do not know why we could not do that, I am additionally concerned on this, and it hurts to consider it.”

Italy was defeated by North Macedonia as its World Cup hopes were dashed
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Italy was defeated by North Macedonia as its World Cup hopes had been dashed

With out the veteran duo of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini by way of harm, Italy’s provisional protection was hardly turbulent within the first half, with all of the motion happening on the different finish.

Domenico Berardi had the most effective likelihood after receiving the ball after North Macedonia goalkeeper Stoll Dimitrievski missed the go, however the Sassuolo striker’s shot was weak, and Dimitrievski returned to dam it.

Ciro Motionless additionally missed an incredible alternative within the first half for Italy when he crossed the bar from a very good place. Berardi was once more responsible of extravagance after the break, firing when he ought to have hit the goal.

Italy will not participate in the World Cup finals for the second time in a row
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Italy is not going to take part within the World Cup finals for the second time in a row

Because the match went on, the Italian nationwide crew’s nerves started to emerge and its ending grew to become extra risky. Mancini modified his group, giving Cagliari striker Joao Pedro his debut, however with their solely significant assault within the match, North Macedonia took their likelihood.

Italy didn’t look like in a lot hazard, however Trajkovski, who performs in Saudi Arabia for Al-Fayhaa crew, had different concepts, writing his title to North Macedonian folklore with a shot that slipped into the put up to astound the house crowd.

Portugal beats Turkey to take one other step

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Highlights of the World Cup qualifiers match between Portugal and Turkey.

Portugal moved one step nearer to qualifying for the World Cup finals with a 3-1 victory over Turkey, whose striker Burak Yilmaz transformed a penalty 5 minutes after the match that might have tied the 2 groups within the semi-final on Thursday.

Portugal dominated the match from the beginning and superior 2-0 within the first half after Ottavio scored one purpose and arrange one other for Diogo Jota.

However coach Fernando Santos’ aspect returned with a purpose by Yilmaz within the sixty fifth minute and put the Portuguese followers on the sting of their seats as Turkey started to threaten.

Then defender Jose Fonte made a mistake on Ines Onal inside the world within the eighty fifth minute, to attain a penalty kick that Yilmaz shot excessive over the crossbar.

Portugal’s substitute Matthews Nunes eased the strain on the hosts in stoppage time with their third purpose from a counter-attack.

After dropping an automated qualification in November, they may now host North Macedonia on Tuesday with the winner qualifying for the 2023 World Cup in Qatar.

Sweden dealt the Czech nationwide crew a knockout in additional time

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Watch the highlights of the World Cup qualifying match between Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Swedish substitute Robin Quaison scored his purpose within the second half of additional time to attain a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic and go as much as face Poland subsequent Tuesday by qualifying for the World Cup finals in Qatar.

An early purpose for the Czechs was disallowed as a result of a mistake and the Swedes had the lion’s share of possession in a lot of the play-off semi-finals, however the two groups struggled to interrupt one another in a match crammed with difficult and errant interference. transient.

Substitute Matthias Svanberg was closest to Sweden within the unique time, however I noticed him from Emil Forsberg’s nook kick aimed straight at visiting goalkeeper Tomas Vaclic.

The match ended goalless after 90 minutes and seemed set for a penalty shootout when Quison danced by way of the middle of the protection earlier than exchanging passes with Alexander Isaacs and quietly firing into the web to deliver his crew a step nearer to Qatar.