World Cup play-off: 'This was the biggest disappointment,' says Italy boss Roberto Mancini after losing 1-0 to North Macedonia

Aleksandar Trakjowski's injury-time goal goal was enough to eliminate Italy and take North Macedonia through to the World Cup play-off final against Portugal.

Italy national football team head coach Roberto Mancini; Credit: Twitter/@Azzurri_En
By Sreejith C R | Mar 25, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Italy failed to qualify for the second consecutive FIFA World Cup after losing 1-0 to North Macedonia in the semi-final play-offs at Renzo Barbera on Thursday. Head coach Roberto Mancini, who guided the Azzurri to Euro 2020 title triumph failed to take his team to the World Cup finals in Qatar.  Italy dominated the proceedings throughout the 90 minutes but North Macedonia soaked all the pressure and struck the winner against the run of play through Aleksandar Trakjowski in the injury-time. 

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Four-time World Champions Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after losing to Sweden in the playoffs. It was the first time the Azzurri had missed the World Cup since 1958. Italy won the European Championship, yet failed to qualify for the second consecutive World Cup.

Mancini’s side created 32 chances and registered five shots on target but failed to find the breakthrough while the visitors managed to find the back of the net from only the four opportunities they created. Italy had only themselves to blame for not taking their chances while credit to North Macedonia, who will face Portugal in the final for a place in the World Cup in Qatar. 

“Just as the Euros was the most wonderful experience of my life, this was the biggest disappointment. We can say nothing, that is football, sometimes incredible things happen and it happened.”

Italy produced a very dominant performance to lift the Euro 2020 title, and then surprisingly went on to  finish runner-up to Switzerland in the World Cup qualifying group 

“We shouldn’t have been here in the first place, but we did everything we could to win and it’s hard to even talk about it.

“The victory at the Euros was absolutely deserved, we played great football. Then some of the fortune we had in that tournament turned into total and complete bad luck, as some unbelievable things happened from September onwards.

“We dominated the group, all we needed was one of those moments to go well, but neither of them did. Tonight, it feels almost as if conceding a goal at the 92nd minute was fitting. This is a group of fine players and I am sorry for them.”

Mancini was asked if he will or indeed can continue his role after failing to qualify for the World Cup.

“We will see. I think everyone is too disappointed right now to talk about the future.”





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