Soccer World Reacts to Italy Missing Second Straight World Cup

The Italian side fell to North Macedonia in a stunning result that will keep them out of Qatar this winter.

For the second straight time, Italy will watch the World Cup from home.

The Italians suffered a stunning defeat during Thursday’s UEFA World Cup qualifying match against North Macedonia, conceding a stoppage time goal to Aleksander Trajkovski to seal a 1-0 defeat. The loss was Italy’s first defeat in 60 home World Cup qualifiers.

What a strike by Aleksandar Trajkovski! North Macedonia with an absolute stunner in Palermo

(via @ESPNFC) pic.twitter.com/RGiEHVW5e1

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) March 24, 2022

Italy dominated possession and was on the front foot for nearly the entire night, maintaining a 65% possession advantage and out-shooting North Macedonia 32-4, though was never able to break through on the score line. The result is especially unexpected given Italy just won the Euro championship eight months ago.

🎙️ #Mancini: "The victory in the Euros was the most wonderful moment of my career. What happened this evening is my biggest disappointment."#ITAMKD #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro #WCQ pic.twitter.com/YIMfp3Uq0C

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) March 24, 2022

Prior to the 2018 World Cup, Italy had qualified for all but one World Cup that it had entered, with the lone exception coming in 1958. Now, the country that’s tied with the second-most World Cup wins (four) will miss consecutive events for the first time in its history.

Unsurprisingly, the soccer world was rocked by the result, and had plenty to say about it afterwards. Here are some of the best reactions from Italy’s unexpected ousting:

So by the time World Cup 2026 rolls around, Italy will have beaten one nation in the WC since winning it in 2006: England.

— Charlie Eccleshare (@CDEccleshare) March 24, 2022

Fam!!!! I wish I could say I was surprised about this Italy result but… man. pic.twitter.com/j5sGNxXPSi

— Aaron West (@oeste) March 24, 2022

Italy did what now?

— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) March 24, 2022

For Italy to go from being European Champions to not even making the final playoff stage is an almighty and devastating fall.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 24, 2022

All of Italy right now. pic.twitter.com/xzsrk5ZBPk

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) March 24, 2022

Italy’s last knockout game at a World Cup was the final that they won in 2006. They’ll have waited (at least) 20 years before they play another one.

— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) March 24, 2022

30 shots for Italy 4 for North Macedonia
Italy 0-1 North Macedonia
Fifa scripting on a mad one tonight

— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) March 24, 2022

North Macedonia beating European champion Italy to knock the Azzurri out of the World Cup is like (FCS) Appalachian State beating No. 5 Michigan in 2007.

— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) March 24, 2022

Incredible scenes at the Final Whistle as North Macedonia knock off Italy in Palermo thanks to a stoppage time winner. They’ll now play Portugal for a place in the World Cup. Have a night, North Macedonia, you UEFA St. Peter’s Peacocks. pic.twitter.com/O1hGsbMfEl

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) March 24, 2022

Last summer we celebrated and made memories we will never forget, tonight we have heartbreak and disbelief……the beauty of football 🙏 🇮🇹 well done to N Macedonia 🇲🇰

— Mike Grella (@MikeGrella10) March 24, 2022

💔

— GIUSEPPE ROSSI (@GiuseppeRossi22) March 24, 2022