Heartbreak for Italy as Bosnia triumph 4-1 on penalties to qualify for World Cup
Heartbreak for Italy as Bosnia triumph 4-1 on penalties to qualify for World Cup Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Italy 4-1 on penalties in the European World Cup play-off final after a 1-1 draw following extra time on Tuesday evening. Italy broke the deadlock in the 15th minute through Moise Keane, who rifled a shot into the net following Nikola Vasilj’s poor defensive clearance. Ivan Basic almost restored parity for the hosts, but Gianluigi Donnarumma made a good save to keep out his effort.
Shortly after, the Manchester City goalkeeper kept out Nikola Katic’s header as Bosnia cranked up the pressure for the equaliser. Alessandro Bastoni was shown a straight red card for his foul on Amar Memic, reducing Italy to 10 men before halftime. Bosnia started the second half on the front foot, continuing their push for the leveller.
They almost equalised when Kerim Alajbegovic rifled a powerful strike towards goal, but Donnarumma was yet again equal to the task. A rare Italy chance fell to Keane who should have added a second for the visitors, but the Fiorentina striker fluffed his lines. Donnarumma had to be alert again, saving Esmir Bajraktarevic’s and Alajbegovic’s strikes.
He thought he had rescued Italy when he denied Edin Dzeko, only for Haris Tabakovic to bundle the ball home, levelling the scores for Bosnia in the 79th minute. Demirovic almost netted a late winner for Bosnia but was denied by Donnarumma, taking the game into extra-time. Benjamin Tahirovic nearly snatched a winner towards the end of the second half extra-time, only to see his low drive drift wide.
Bosnia won 4-1 on penalties to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014, condemning Italy to a third straight failure to qualify.