Another drama about Italy: The four-time world champion lost participation in the World Cup for the third time in a row. Despite taking the lead, coach Gennaro Gattuso’s team lost 1:4 (1:1, 1:1, 1:0) on penalties in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Italy played outnumbered for a long time after the red card against Alessandro Bastoni (41st minute).
Attacker Moise Kean (15th minute) scored the decisive goal of the game early on and also benefited from a serious mistake by St. Pauli goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, whose unsuccessful pass led to the goal being conceded. Italy then limited themselves to defending and withdrew even more on the defensive after a red card for Bastoni.
They were waiting for a counterattack – and it was again Kean who had the second goal on his feet. But the striker, who was running alone towards Vasilj, put the ball just over the goal. In regular time, Italy only shot at the Bosnian goal twice.
Bajraktarevic shoots Bosnia to the World Cup
Bosnia pressed for an equalizer for a long time, but was finally rewarded by Haris Tabakovic (79th) from Hertha BSC. Finally, Esmir Bajraktarevic destroyed all of Italy’s World Cup dreams in the penalty shootout. Bosnia, led by Schalke striker Edin Dzeko, is taking part in the world’s most important tournament for the second time since 2014.
The Italian wait, however, continues. Already in 2018 and 2022 they failed in the playoffs to Sweden and North Macedonia. Even in front of tennis superstar Novak Djokovic, it wasn’t enough in Zenica. Bosnia will face Switzerland, Qatar and co-hosts Canada in Group B at the World Cup.
