World Cup: Italy fail to qualify for third straight time, while Sweden, Turkey secure places
Bosnia and Czech Republic also make it through, along with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq in the intercontinental play-offs
Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup as a play-off defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday meant the Azzurri will not go to this year’s tournament in North America, while Turkey, the Czech Republic and Sweden all secured their places at the finals.
In the intercontinental play-offs, the Democratic Republic of Congo qualified for the first time since 1974 and Iraq claimed the final World Cup place.
Italy have won the World Cup four times, but they failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments and will once again have to watch from afar as the field is expanded to 48 teams in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Bosnia won 4-1 in the shoot-out in Zenica after their play-off final finished 1-1 at the end of extra-time, with Sandro Tonali the only Italy player to score from the spot as Francesco Pio Esposito blazed their first penalty over and Bryan Cristante smashed his kick against the crossbar.
Moise Kean had given Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy the lead on 15 minutes, but they were reduced to 10 men when Alessandro Bastoni was shown a straight red card late in the first half.
Bosnia equalised on 79 minutes through Haris Tabakovic, and with no further goals in extra-time the tie was decided on penalties.
