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BREAKING NEWS ‼️
North Macedonia stun Italy in World Cup play-off to set up Portugal decider.
Italy 0 North Macedonia 1:
Azzurri miss second World Cup in a row as European champions stunned by injury-time screamer.
EUROPEAN champions Italy will miss their second World Cup in a row after Alexsandar Trajkovski’s superb stoppage-time winner for minnows North Macedonia.
It also surely means Cristiano Ronaldo is a huge step closer to reaching the finals as his Portugal side will now face North Macedonia for a place at Qatar.
Trajkovski arrowed home a long-range right-footer after the Azzurri’s Chelsea midfielder Jorginho missed a header – leaving the whole of Italy in shock.
‘Distraught’ Italian legend Giorgio Chiellini, who came on as a sub for injured defender Gianluca Mancini, said “It’s difficult to explain.
“I think we again had a good game and just didn’t score the goal.
Italy also failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after losing to Sweden in a two-legged playoff. Missing two straight World Cups is an unprecedented low point for the four-time champions, especially just months after winning Euro 2020.
North Macedonia will play Portugal on Tuesday for a spot in the tournament in Qatar after Cristiano Ronaldo’s side beat Turkey 3-1. Euro 2020 is the only major tournament North Macedonia has qualified for.
Wales, meanwhile, overcame Austria thanks to a Gareth Bale double and are due to play the winner of Scotland and Ukraine in June.
what a beautiful goal that was
