For the third time in a row.. Italy is excluded from the World Cup after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Italian national team failed again to untie the knot of qualifying for the World Cup, after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties (4-1), after a draw (1-1), today, in the final qualifying play-off for the 2026 World Cup.

Thus, the Italian national team failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row, while the Bosnia national team qualified for the second time in its history.

The first goal of the match was scored by Italy striker Moise Kean in the 15th minute, taking advantage of an errant pass from Bosnia’s goalkeeper Nikola Vasilic, and Haris Tabakovic equalized for Bosnia in the 79th minute.

The Bosnian national team will participate in the second group of the World Cup, along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.

The match was weak on the part of the Azzurri players, especially on the offensive level, as they did not threaten the hosts’ goal much, especially after scoring the goal.

The 42nd minute was a shock to the Italian fans, after defender Alessandro Bastoni received a direct red card after he obstructed Bosnia’s Amar Memic on his way towards the Azzurri’s goal.

The Italian national team played the entire second half with ten players, and waited at the back, trying to defend its goal, amid intense pressure from the Bosnian players, who relied on long shots and crosses.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma succeeded in saving more than one real opportunity for the Bosnian players, and Moise Kean wasted a sure chance in the 60th minute, after he was alone with the Bosnian goalkeeper from the middle of the field, but he shot wide of the goal.

In the 79th minute, the hosts equalized through substitute Haris Tabakovich, who followed the header of veteran Edin Dzeko, which Donnarumma easily blocked.

The Bosnian national team tried to take advantage of the enthusiasm of its fans in the stands, and snatched a fatal goal, but Donnarumma continued his brilliance and saved the Italians’ dream of reaching the World Cup, so the match headed towards two additional halves.

The situation did not change much in the extra two halves, and the two teams tried some chances timidly, but there was no change in the result, heading to penalty kicks.

Tahirović, Tabaković, Alajeković and Bajraktivic scored for the Bosnian national team in the penalty shootout.

While the Italian national team scored one kick through Tonali, and Esposito and Cristante missed two kicks.