Italy goalkeeper Donnarumma attracts trouble
“This guy is a disgrace to football”
April 1, 2026 – 4:26 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
A World Cup finals will once again take place without Italy. Afterwards, not only sporting topics will be discussed.
Italy missed qualifying for a World Cup finals for the third time in a row on Tuesday evening, sparking a mix of anger and disappointment at home. The Bosnians on the other side celebrated – but they were also annoyed about an action by their opponent Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The goalkeeper maltreated Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj’s note during the penalty shootout, while Italy attacker Pio Esposito fired the first penalty over the goal. Vasilj, a professional at FC St. Pauli, noticed this after celebrating the missed shot and was beside himself with the action. DAZN commentator Mario Rieker was amazed: “Did Donnarumma tear up the piece of paper now? He looked at it himself, I would say.”
The reactions in the Bosnian media were clearer. “This guy is a disgrace for football: Donnarumma’s unprecedented and unfair move in the penalty shootout,” wrote the portal “Sportssport”. “Klix” also found clear words: “Donnarumma will definitely be hated in Bosnia-Herzegovina.”
In any case, he has made himself unpopular with his Bosnian counterpart. Vasilj complained next to the goal and referee Clément Turpin showed him a yellow card. Meanwhile, the whirlwind didn’t give Donnarumma any advantage: the Italian didn’t save a single penalty, and Vasilj celebrated two missed shots from the opponent.
Bosnia has qualified for a World Cup finals for the second time since 2014 and will face co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar in the group stage. Italy, on the other hand, has been waiting to take part in the World Cup since 2014.
