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Italy Have Been Knocked Out Of The World Cup By North Macedonia
Euro 2020 champions Italy have been knocked out of the World Cup qualifiers by North Macedonia at home.
Italy have been knocked out of the World Cup by North Macedonia, eight months before the finals have begun.
Euro 2020 champions Italy would have expected to breeze past North Macedonia in the semi final of their play off 'pathway,' to set up a final eliminator with Portugal.
However, despite dominating the game throughout, Italy were unable to find a way past their visitors for 90 minutes and then came the sucker punch.
Aleksandar Trajkovski scored in the 92nd minute to eliminate Roberto Mancini's side from qualification, and put Macedonia into the game with Portugal next week.
The final whistle brought incredible scenes for the visiting players, as they took a huge step towards their first finals of a major tournament.
Despite winning the Euros last summer, defeating England in the final at Wembley, Mancini's side have not been able to kick on.
They finished second in their qualification group to Switzerland, after drawing their final two games in November, to the Swiss and Northern Ireland.
That left them in the qualifying play-off, and the draw meant that at least one of Italy or Portugal, the past two European champions, wouldn't be getting to Qatar.
On Thursday, Italy had 32 shots in the match, with 66% possession, but only five of those were on target and they couldn't break through.
In the 92nd minute, with just three minutes left of injury time and the game heading for extra time, Trajkovski brilliant strike from outside of the area rolled into the bottom corner.
Having won the World Cup in 2006, Italy's World Cup record in the 16 years since has not been anywhere near good enough.
They failed to get past the group stages in 2010 and 2014, despite beating England in their opening game of the latter.
The four time world champions didn't manage to qualify for the tournament in Russia four years ago, after losing a play off to Sweden.
Having taken the European title just nine months ago, Mancini, his side and the whole country would have expected to qualify for Qatar, instead they'll have a winter to forget.
For Macedonia though, March 24th will go down in history!
Featured Image Credit: Sky SportsTopics: Football World Cup, North Macedonia, Qatar 2022, Italy
Ryan Sidle