In a stunning turn of events, the Italian national football team, who had recently claimed the European Championship title, was eliminated from contention for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. The defeat came in the form of a 1-0 loss against North Macedonia during the semifinals of the World Cup qualifying playoffs. The match was marked by Italy's overwhelming control and a series of missed opportunities, culminating in a devastating goal by Aleksandar Trajkovski in the dying moments of the game, just before the final whistle.

The Azzurri, led by coach Roberto Mancini, dominated possession and created numerous chances throughout the match, yet they failed to convert any into goals. The North Macedonian goalkeeper, Stole Dimitrievski, played a crucial role in keeping Italy at bay, making several key saves. Not only does this loss punctuate Italy's struggles on the international stage, but it also replicates their failure to qualify for the previous World Cup in 2018, where they were eliminated by Sweden in a similar playoff fashion.

This elimination signifies a troubling pattern for Italy's football team and raises questions about its future direction. The emotional toll was evident as players collapsed in tears after the match, contrasting sharply with the jubilant celebrations from the North Macedonian squad, marking a historic victory for them and a significant blow for a traditionally strong football nation like Italy.