Italy-Macedonia 0-1, Azzurri out of the 2022 World Cup

Italy did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The national team was sensationally defeated 1-0 by North Macedonia in Palermo in the playoff semifinal. The decisive goal was scored in the 92nd minute by Trajkovski. The national team of coach Mancini fails to qualify and Italy, after missing the 2018 World Cup in Russia, will only be a spectator for the second consecutive edition of the World Cup. THE MATCH – The verdict matures at the end of a one-way match. Italy pitches their tents in the opposing half, monopolizes possession of the ball but struggles to create clear opportunities. The blues hit the wall that Macedonia builds on its trocar. The best chance for the national team arrives at 30 ‘and is a gift from Dimitrievski. The goalkeeper misses the disengagement and gives the ball to Berardi, who wastes everything from the edge of the area and the door wide open with a weak and slightly angled left. For the rest, the first fraction slips away between some scrum in the Macedonian area and some imprecise conclusion from outside: the 0-0 resisted until the interval. At the start of the recovery, Italy tries to raise the pace against opponents who are gradually gaining confidence. Macedonia does not sting, but it does not need to raise barricades to defend its door. Mancini’s national team struggled to produce in attack and became dangerous only in the 64th minute. Verratti’s pocket for Berardi who controls and kicks with a sure shot, Alioski intervenes in a slip and save. At 78 ‘the new entry Raspadori looks for the joker from 20 meters, ball over the crossbar. When extra time seems to be around the corner, North Macedonia draws the wild card when the end of the game. Trajkovski shoots from 20 meters, ball in the low corner: Donnarumma does not get there, 0-1 and Italy out of the World Cup.