Italy fail to qualify for third consecutive World Cup after more play-off heartbreak

Italy have failed to qualify for their third straight World Cup finals after Gennaro Gattuso ’s side fell to a heartbreaking play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties. Italy players were in tears as the magnitude of the result dawned on them, with the Azzurri now the first former winners to miss three finals in a row, having failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 editions. The Azzuri had taken an early lead in Zenica after Moise Kean curled in a superb effort on 15 minutes, but they found themselves with work to do before the end of the first half as Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for bringing down Amar Memic as last man in the 42nd minute.

The home side, who also beat Wales in a shoot-out in the play-off semi-final last week, fought back in the second half and got level with just over 10 minutes remaining in normal time, Haris Tabakovic bundling in after a goalmouth scramble. That late goal took the play-off final to extra-time and though both sides traded blows in an effort to nick the win late on, neither side was able to gain control as the game headed to penalties. Benjamin Tahirovic got the hosts off to the perfect start by scoring the first spot-kick, and Francesco Esposito blazed his effort over to leave the Italians chasing the contest.

Bosnia goalscorer Tabakovic rifled in a superb effort for give his side a 2-0 lead, and though Sandro Tonali confidently slid his effort into the side-netting, Kerim Alajbegovic sent Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way to make it 3-1. Bryan Cristante then stepped up and saw his effort crash off the crossbar, leaving Esmir Bajraktarevic to squeeze past a disconsolate Donnarumma to send his side to this summer’s finals. Bosnia and Herzegovia qualified for their second World Cup finals (REUTERS) Italy have not played at a World Cup since exiting the group stage in 2014 (AP) Meanwhile, Bosnia will now make up part of Group B at this summer’s tournament alongside Qatar, fellow European side Switzerland and hosts Canada, with their first game coming against the host nation on 12 June.

Elsewhere, Viktor Gyokeres side-footed home an 88th-minute ​winner as Sweden beat Poland 3-2. The result earned Sweden a first World Cup appearance since 2018 after failing to qualify four years ago. Anthony Elanga's opener for ​Sweden ⁠was cancelled out by Nicola Zalewski’s equaliser, but Gustaf Lagerbielke’s 44th-minute strike restored the hosts' advantage and ensured they ⁠entered the break ahead.