Italy’s crisis on the international stage deepened dramatically as they failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup, suffering a devastating penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their playoff final.
The four-time champions appeared in control early on when Moise Kean gave them the lead, but the game shifted after Alessandro Bastoni’s first-half red card left them down to ten men. Bosnia fought back through Haris Tabakovic to force extra time before holding their nerve in the shootout.
Sandro Tonali scored Italy’s only penalty, while Bosnia converted all four of theirs, sealing a historic qualification and extending Italy’s absence from the World Cup to at least 16 years.
