Italy makes heartbreaking history by missing out on third straight World Cup after shootout loss

Italy made heartbreaking past connected Tuesday night, arsenic they missed their 3rd consecutive World Cup bid pursuing a nonaccomplishment to Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Italy is present the archetypal World Cup-winning squad to miss 3 consecutive tournaments pursuing the penalty-kick shootout nonaccomplishment successful the European playoffs. 

The federation was erstwhile a shot powerhouse, winning it each 4 times with its astir caller successful 2006. But caller years person not been benignant to the Italian squad, and they were feeling the symptom of the nonaccomplishment aft the match. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Pio Esposito of Italy disappointment  during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs  match betwixt Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy astatine Stadion Bilino Polje connected March 31, 2026 successful Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Image Photo Agency)

"We inactive don’t judge it – that we’re retired and that it happened successful this manner," Italy’s Leonardo Spinazzola said to reporters, per the New York Post. "It’s upsetting for everyone. For us, for our families and for each the kids who person ne'er seen Italy astatine a World Cup."

After 90 minutes and other time, some nations were stuck successful a 1-1 tie, and the punishment shootout was needed to find a winner. Italy yet fell to Bosnia and Herzegovina, 4-1, successful the shootout, arsenic Esmir Bajraktarevic secured the triumph with the last goal. 

SIX WORLD CUP SPOTS LEFT! ITALY, POLAND, JAMAICA AMONG TEAMS WHO CAN QUALIFY

It didn’t assistance that Italy was playing with conscionable 10 men connected the tract aft Alessandro Bastoni received a reddish paper earlier halftime. Bosnia and Herzegovina utilized the antheral vantage to necktie the crippled successful the 79th minute, arsenic Haris Tabakovic scored the equalizer. 

Italy's defender Alessandro Bastoni receives a reddish paper from the referee during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification last shot lucifer betwixt Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy astatine the Bilino-Polje stadium successful Zenica connected March 31, 2026. (Elvis BARUKCIC / AFP)

Moise Kean was capable to onslaught archetypal for Italy successful the 15th minute, giving them the momentum they were searching for coming into the match. However, they were ne'er capable to rally successful the end. 

While Italy remains 1 of lone 3 nations to ever triumph the World Cup 4 times successful history, they can’t look to find what it takes to get to the tournament. 

In 2018, Italy fell astatine the hands of Sweden, portion North Macedonia shocked them successful 2022 successful the qualifiers. 

Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs lucifer betwixt Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy astatine Stadion Bilino Polje connected March 31, 2026 successful Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Srdjan Stevanovic - UEFA)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Now, Bosnia and Herzegovina volition effort their luck successful Group B erstwhile the World Cup kicks off, starting with a lucifer against Canada. They volition besides look Qatar and Switzerland successful the radical stage. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.