Itâs happened again. Italy will miss their second consecutive FIFA World Cup as North Macedonia claimed a dramatic win to advance to the final of the UEFA qualifying playoffs for Qatar 2022.
Aleksandar Trajkovski stunned the hosts with a 92nd minute winner to leavethe Azzurri empty-handed and set up a meeting withPortugal for a place in the long-awaited tournament. Itâs been the first time Italy have lost a World Cup qualifier at homeand it came in the worst possible moment.
Roberto Manciniâs men, who have claimed continental glory in the Euro 2020just a few months ago, had to take part in the playoffs after failing to finish atop Group C. Now, theyâll have to wait for at least another four years to return to the World Cup.
North Macedoniaâs shocking win sees Italy miss second straight World Cup: Best memes and reactions
If missing out on a 2018 Russia World Cup berth was painful enough for Italy, let alone failing to qualify for the following World Cup as well. Check out the best memes and reactions to one of the biggest upsets of all time:
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of soccer, NFL, and NBA, with a specialty in real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Editor, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavipâs team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis.
