Ten-man Italy miss out on third World Cup in a row

Italy’s World Cup nightmare deepened in dramatic fashion as they crashed out of the qualifying play-offs on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina, ensuring the four-time champions will miss a third consecutive tournament. After extra time ended 1-1, Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali proved the lone Azzurri taker to convert from the spot, while Bosnia buried all four of their attempts to seal a historic berth.

Gennaro Gattuso’s side looked poised to end 12 years of hurt when Moise Kean pounced on a goalkeeping mistake by Nikola Vasilj to slot home after 15 minutes, sparking scenes of relief inside the Stadio Renzo Barbera. Yet the contest pivoted six minutes before the break when defender Alessandro Bastoni was shown a straight red for hauling down Amar Memic as the last man, reducing Italy to ten.

The numerical disadvantage eventually told. Haris Tabakovic, introduced from the bench, headed the visitors level with 11 minutes of normal time remaining, and the underdogs held firm through extra time before prevailing 4-1 in the shoot-out.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, who debuted on the global stage in 2014, now head to Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. For Italy, the outcome extends an astonishing drought: the 2006 winners have not played a World Cup knockout match since that Berlin triumph on penalties against France and have failed even to qualify for the last three editions. Their only previous absence came in 1958.

Elsewhere on a frantic final night of qualifying, Sweden edged Poland 3-2 in Stockholm thanks to a late Viktor Gyokeres winner, the Czech Republic ousted Denmark on penalties after a 2-2 thriller in Prague, Turkey shut out Kosovo 1-0, DR Congo defeated Jamaica in extra time in Guadalajara, and Iraq edged Bolivia to become the 48th and final nation to book a ticket to this summer’s expanded tournament.

Italy, meanwhile, must confront the sobering reality of at least 16 years away from the sport’s grandest stage.