Italy fail to qualify for FIFA World Cup again after North Macedonia snatch a stoppage-time goal

Italy yet again failed to qualify for the finals of the FIFA World Cup as a lowly North Macedonia handed a shock defeat to 2020 European champions in their 2022 World Cup qualifier semifinal at Palermo.

Four-time champions Italy will miss out on back-to-back World Cups for the first time in their glorious football history after failing to do in 2018 too.

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On Thursday night, Italy had 32 shots on target against North Macedonia's five. However, Italy had to blame themselves given Macedonia's goalkeeper did not have to make many tough saves.

The only goal of the match was scored in the stoppage time by Aleksandar Trajkovski, who made a low shot into the corner. Thus booking a place in the final of the qualifiers, where they lock horns with Portugal next Tuesday in a hope of their maiden World Cup qualification.

Meanwhile, for a country who have won the World Cup four times, Italy's recent record is a national embarrassment.