This past summer, it seemed like Italy was back as a global soccer power with the embarrassment of missing the 2018 World Cup far in the rearview mirror. The Azzurri won European championship in penalties against England at Euro 2020 (played in 2021). They shot up to No. 4 on the FIFA rankings.
And despite missing out on automatic qualification to the 2022 World Cup, Italy had a relatively favorable play-off path with North Macedonia awaiting in the semifinals. Well, Italy learned a hard lesson on Thursday about overlooking opponents because North Macedonia just made Italy miss its second straight World Cup.
With the score tied at 0-0 in the 92nd minute, North Macedonia’s goal kick deflected perfectly to Aleksandar Trajkovski who scored from distance.
NORTH MACEDONIA!!! ONE OF THE GREAT UPSETS OF ALL TIME 🤯
AS IT STANDS, ITALY ARE OUT OF THE WORLD CUP! pic.twitter.com/DBRBcUhZC5
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 24, 2022
Just like that, the European champions were out of the World Cup while North Macedonia could qualify for its first-ever World Cup with a win over Portugal (a huge ask, but they did just beat Italy).
When the final whistle sounded, Italy was understandably demoralized.
WOW. ITALY MISS OUT ON BACK TO BACK WORLD CUPS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/zyBiJVxnFM
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 24, 2022
Heartbreak for Italy 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZQvGV3UA0c
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) March 24, 2022
The rest of the sports world was shocked. North Macedonia did it!
Italy misses the World Cup for the 2nd straight time after losing at home to North Macedonia. Speechless.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) March 24, 2022
After missing on Russia 2018, Italy are out of the World Cup 2022. What an incredible disaster. 🇮🇹 #Italy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 24, 2022
North Macedonia stopping Italy from reaching the World Cup like… pic.twitter.com/HPJrFUGDM6
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) March 24, 2022
All of Italy right now. pic.twitter.com/xzsrk5ZBPk
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) March 24, 2022
Wow. Italy……..can’t be.
Bravo to North Macedonia…….
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) March 24, 2022
For Italy to go from being European Champions to not even making the final playoff stage is an almighty and devastating fall.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 24, 2022
Incredible scenes at the Final Whistle as North Macedonia knock off Italy in Palermo thanks to a stoppage time winner. They’ll now play Portugal for a place in the World Cup. Have a night, North Macedonia, you UEFA St. Peter’s Peacocks. pic.twitter.com/O1hGsbMfEl
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) March 24, 2022
Italy missing two World Cups in a row, this sport is truly unbelievable.
— Mod (@CFCMod_) March 24, 2022
I did 100 simulations of the European playoff.
North Macedonia beat Italy twice. Two times.
This is one of the greatest upsets in a win or go home match in the history of the sport.
— Zealand (@theoldzealand) March 24, 2022
