Italy have failed to reach the World Cup for the second successive time after a humiliating home defeat by European minnows North Macedonia ensured they will not be in Qatar later this year.
Roberto Mancini's side dominated for the majority of the contest, with a staggering 32 shots on goal over the course of the 90 minutes of their World Cup semi-final play off. However, in what is a damning indictment of the Azzurri's wasteful finishing, just five of them ended up on target.
In stark contrast, visitors North Macedonia had a feeble four efforts in the whole game but most crucially, one of those beat Gianluigi Donnarumma between the sticks in second-half stoppage time. Aleksandar Trajkovski will forever be a hero in his home country after his long-range effort nestled into the bottom corner of the Italian's goal.
