Italy fails and will not play the World Cup in Qatar 1:02
(Reuters) -
Italy will miss another World Cup after losing 1-0 at home to North Macedonia in the playoff semi-final on Thursday, when a last-gasp goal from Aleksandar Trajkovski gave the visitors a famous victory.
European champions Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup four years ago, their first failure to reach soccer's top competition since 1958, but dominated from the start in Palermo and chased victory.
Roberto Mancini, coach of Italy.
(ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
The hosts were desperate in their quest for a win after the break, and had several chances to score, but in stoppage time Trajkovski scored a surprising goal to spark North Macedonia's celebration.
Roberto Mancini's Italian team had 32 attempts on goal in the match, but somehow fell short.
North Macedonia will play Portugal in the playoff final next week for a place in the World Cup in Qatar that will not feature Italy.
Credit: Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images
