North Macedonia Eliminate Italy from World Cup With 92nd-Minute Stunner
- 2 years ago
Italy have been officially eliminated from the 2022 World Cup. Italy Have Been Knocked Out Of The World Cup By North Macedonia .
The winners of Euro 2020 were forced into the play-off qualifying stage after finishing second in their group and found themselves embroiled against minnows Macedonia from the North in the semifinals.
Many tipped Roberto Mancini's star-studded side to advance to the final with ease, but instead were doomed to a humiliating 1-0 loss at home.
In the 92nd minute of the game, former Palermo player Aleksandar Trajkovski scored an absolute goal to stun one of the biggest footballing nations on the planet.
Italy had 70% of the possession and took 32 shots on goal, but classic road football caught them cold right at the moment of death.
The full-time celebrations among the North Macedonian contingent were also very special...
Absolute scenes in the World Cup play-offs! Italy have now missed out on playing in the sport's biggest tournament for the second time in a row, which is absolutely heartbreaking for their passionate fans.
However, serious questions will be asked of the former Manchester City manager, even if he was unable to count on key players such as Leonardo Bonucci and Federico Chiesa for the game against North Macedonia.
Italy still should have won the game comfortably without those stars, but the resilient visitors had other ideas.
North Macedonia will now battle Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal next week for a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The winners of Euro 2020 were forced into the play-off qualifying stage after finishing second in their group and found themselves embroiled against minnows Macedonia from the North in the semifinals.
Many tipped Roberto Mancini's star-studded side to advance to the final with ease, but instead were doomed to a humiliating 1-0 loss at home.
In the 92nd minute of the game, former Palermo player Aleksandar Trajkovski scored an absolute goal to stun one of the biggest footballing nations on the planet.
Italy had 70% of the possession and took 32 shots on goal, but classic road football caught them cold right at the moment of death.
The full-time celebrations among the North Macedonian contingent were also very special...
Absolute scenes in the World Cup play-offs! Italy have now missed out on playing in the sport's biggest tournament for the second time in a row, which is absolutely heartbreaking for their passionate fans.
However, serious questions will be asked of the former Manchester City manager, even if he was unable to count on key players such as Leonardo Bonucci and Federico Chiesa for the game against North Macedonia.
Italy still should have won the game comfortably without those stars, but the resilient visitors had other ideas.
North Macedonia will now battle Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal next week for a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.