Bosnia and Herzegovina stunned four-time champions Italy in Zenica, winning a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to clinch a place at the 2026 World Cup — consigning Italy to a third consecutive failure to qualify and leaving Gennaro Gattuso's side facing urgent questions about discipline, tactics and leadership.
Bosnia eliminate Italy in Zenica — Azzurri suffer historic qualifying collapse
Italy, four-time World Cup winners, will not be in the 2026 finals after a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina ended 4-1 on penalties. Moises Kean’s 15th-minute strike gave the visitors the lead, but Alessandro Bastoni’s red card before halftime for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity altered the game’s balance.
Bosnia’s relentless pressure produced an equaliser and, backed by a raucous home crowd in Zenica, they held firm through extra time and dominated the shootout.
Key moments: Kean, Bastoni and the turning point
Kean’s composed finish from the edge of the box offered Italy an early platform, but Bastoni’s dismissal four minutes before halftime was the match’s decisive event. Reduced to ten men, Italy could not sustain control; Bosnia exploited space and momentum, eventually forcing the shootout. Italy missed their first and third penalties, while Bosnia calmly converted all four of their attempts — Esmir Bajraktarevic firing the decisive spot-kick.
Why this matters: tactical collapse and broader implications for Italy
This is more than a single match loss — it represents a continuation of an alarming trend. Italy are the first former champions to miss three consecutive World Cups. The red card exposed tactical inflexibility and an inability to regroup under pressure. For Gennaro Gattuso and the Italian setup, the result raises urgent questions about discipline, player selection and whether a deeper rebuild is required. The psychological blow to the squad and fanbase is significant; the FIGC must now decide between short-term fixes and a fuller structural reset.
Czech Republic reach World Cup after dramatic shootout win over Denmark
In Prague, the Czech Republic beat Denmark on penalties after a 2-2 draw following extra time, with Michal Sadilek’s spot-kick sealing qualification. The Czechs will return to the World Cup for the first time since 2006, earning a spot in Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.
Match flow and decisive moments in Prague
Pavel Šulc opened the scoring with a stunning volley three minutes in, setting the tone. Denmark responded late through Joachim Andersen’s header from a Mikkel Damsgaard free kick. Extra time brought a Czech retake of the lead via Ladislav Krejci’s close-range effort, only for substitute Kasper Høgh to nod home Christian Eriksen’s corner in the 111th minute. The shootout then favoured the hosts: Tomas Chory and Tomas Souček scored, while Danish takers faltered — Christian Eriksen the lone successful conversion for Denmark.
What the Czech result signals
The Czech Republic’s progression is a vindication of pragmatic, defensively disciplined tournament football. Goalkeeper Matěj Kovář’s composure and the team’s ability to absorb pressure were decisive. For Denmark, it’s a reminder that talent alone is not enough in knockout settings; clinical finishing and mental resilience in shootouts are equally crucial.
Looking ahead
Bosnia and Herzegovina will head to the 2026 World Cup buoyed by home-grown momentum; their Zenica victory underlines how discipline and belief can topple established powers. Italy must confront structural failures — disciplinary lapses, tactical rigidity and player confidence — if they are to halt a slide that risks long-term damage to the national program. The Czech Republic leave a gritty, efficient imprint and will hope to translate this form into competitiveness on football’s biggest stage.
Final thought
These playoff outcomes underscore that qualification is increasingly a test of temperament as much as technique.
Turkiye and Sweden book World Cup 2026 spots as Kosovo and Poland bow out
Nations that manage pressure, cultivate depth and stick to coherent tactical identities will be the ones turning playoff drama into World Cup opportunity.
Al Jazeera
