Italy’s nightmare continues as Bosnia qualify for the 2026 World Cup

Four-time champions Italy will be missing their third straight World Cup competition after being defeated 4-1 on penalties by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final World Cup qualifiers.

The game finished 1-1 at Zenica during regulation and extra time, as spot kicks decided who would be in the USA, Mexico and Canada in 72 days.

Italy missed two penalties as Francesco Pio Esposito ballooned the first Italy kick over the bar, then Bryan Cristante blasted his onto the underside of the crossbar. 

The Azzuri had battled through extra time with 10 men after Alessandro Bastoni’s red card in the first half, and  Moise Kean had given them the lead.

They eventually capitulated to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties, making them miss a third consecutive World Cup.

The Azzurri had qualified for the final after defeating Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final, with Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean goals.

Genarro Gatusso stuck with the same starting XI in Zenica and Bosnia again restored parity with a late equaliser.

Edin Dzeko’s late equaliser had forced extra time against Wales in the semifinals, and Bosnia eventually won on penalties.

Italy had an early scare with Riccardo Calafiori’s clearance taking a double ricochet to go over for a corner.  Ermedin Demirovic fired straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma on the counter-attack.

Italy utilised their first chance, taking the lead with their first genuine opportunity. Mateo Retegui forced the goalkeeper into an error as his pass was intercepted by Nicolò Barella, who rolled across for Kean to sweep it first-time into the top corner with the inside of the right boot from the edge of the area. 

Kean became the fourth player to score in six consecutive Italy appearances after Adolfo Balonceri in 1928, Gigi Riva in 1969 and Roberto Bettega in 1977, netting eight in that period.

The host began the search for an equaliser as Katic nodded wide and Dzeko fired over.  Donnarumma was also called into action, making a great save from a ferocious Basic strike following a corner.

After Retegui’s weak finish was smothered. Demirovic’s glancing header flashed wide from a Bajraktarevic cross.

Italy then suffered a blow as Bastoni was sent off. Donnarumma’s poor goal kick was intercepted by Amar Memic, who was surging on goal when brought down from behind by Bastoni.

The Inter defender got an inevitable red card, and Federico Gatti came on for Retegui to bolster the defence.

They gave Bosnia an added man advantage, and they poured forward. Memic’s header went wide of the back post.

 18-year-old sensation Kerim Alajbegovic, who also scored his spot kick, was brought on in the second half, while Italy responded with full-back Marco Palestra for the more attack-minded Matteo Politano.

Bosnia again made Donnarumma work as Alajbegovic stung his gloves from the edge of the area.

  Kean had a chance to double their lead when he intercepted a ball inside his own half and sprinted forward, but fired over past the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Donnarumma again made a great save down to fingertip the Benjamin Tahirovic low drive round the base of the near post.

Substitute Esposito also failed to hit the target as he fired over from the edge of the box on a smart Palestra pull-back.

The hosts eventually equalised when Donnarumma made a sensational save on Dzeko’s header at the back post from Dedic’s cross, but could not stop Haris Tabakovic’s tap-in on the rebound.

Donnarumma again kept Italy in the game with another crucial save on the Demirovic header to force extra time.

Italy upped the tempo as Palestra also stood up a cross for Esposito’s header at the back post, forcing a tough reaction save from Nikola Vasilj.

After turning Muharemovic, Esposito’s finish was deflected wide off the defender’s shoulder, while Davide Frattesi charged down the Alajbegovic scorcher.

The tie then went into penalties. Bosnia converted all four kicks, with only Tonali converting his for the Azurri.