Bosnia Vs Italy, FIFA World Cup 2026: Azzuri Suffer WC Heart-Break For Third Time In A Row
One of soccer’s historic powers has reached a once-unfathomable low. Four-time champion Italy failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup after getting beat in a penalty shootout with 10 men at 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs on Tuesday. Moise Kean scored early on for Italy but then Azzurri center back Alessandro Bastoni was sent off with a direct red card before the break and Bosnia substitute Haris Tabakovic equalized in the 79th to send the game into extra time.
Teammates separate Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Bosnia's Amar Dedic, right, during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut
Fans react after a penalty shootout at the end of the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut
Tennis star Novak Djokovic attends the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut
Bosnia's Esmir Bajraktarevic celebrates after winning a penalty shootout during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut
Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma walks off the field after a World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia | Photo: Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse
Bosnian fans wave flags as they celebrate after the Bosnian national team qualified for the World Cup by winning a penalty shootout against Italy, in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut
An aerial view shows fans celebrating after the Bosnian national team qualified for the World Cup by winning a penalty shootout against Italy, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut
Italy players gather in the center circle for a penalty shootout during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut
Referee Clement Turpin shows a red card to Italy's Alessandro Bastoni (21) during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP
Italy's Moise Kean, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma pulls on the sort of Bosnia's Amar Dedic during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut
Bosnia's Ermedin Demirovic celebrates after Bosnia's Haris Tabakovic scored his side's first goal during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia. | Photo: AP/Armin Durgut
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