Italy, four-time World Cup winners, will not feature at the next tournament after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in Zenica. Moise Kean opened the scoring, but Alessandro Bastoni’s first-half red card forced Italy to play a man down; Haris Tabakovic levelled and Bosnia won the shootout, denying the Azzurri a third consecutive World Cup appearance.
Italy knocked out by Bosnia and Herzegovina in dramatic playoff final
Italy’s bid to reach another World Cup ended in heartache as Bosnia and Herzegovina held on in Zenica and prevailed 4-1 in the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Moise Kean put the visitors ahead early, but a straight red for centre-back Alessandro Bastoni before halftime left the Azzurri with ten men. Haris Tabakovic levelled in the 79th minute, and extra time yielded no further goals.
Match key moments
Kean’s quick strike looked to set Italy on course, but Bastoni’s dismissal reshaped the match, forcing a tactical reset and courageous defensive work while chasing a late equaliser. Bosnia’s substitute Haris Tabakovic punished the numerical advantage with a composed finish. In the shootout Italy missed twice; Bosnia converted all their attempts to clinch qualification.
Historical sting: former champions miss three straight World Cups
This defeat makes Italy the first former World Cup champion to miss out on qualifying for three consecutive tournaments — a striking fall for a nation that claimed glory in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006. The result compounds a slide that includes playoff exits and group-stage failures in recent cycles, even as the national team briefly reached a high with the 2021 European Championship triumph.
Why it matters for Italy
Tactically and psychologically, the red card exposed a fragile defensive structure and invited questions about squad depth and game management under pressure. Missing a third straight World Cup will intensify scrutiny on coaching decisions, player selection and long-term planning. The Azzurri face a clear crossroads: rebuild around emerging talent or seek a reset to restore Italy’s standing on the global stage.
Bosnia’s breakthrough and what comes next
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, this is a landmark achievement — a return to the World Cup for only the second time since their 2014 debut. The victory underscores their resilience in knockout football and rewards bold substitutions and calm finishing under pressure. Bosnia will now prepare for the tournament draw and the step up in opposition quality that comes with the global stage.
Momentum and squad outlook
Bosnia’s pathway—eliminating Wales earlier in the playoffs and beating Italy in the final—provides momentum. The squad will need to bolster experience and tactical versatility to compete against top-tier nations, but qualification itself delivers a platform to attract investment, sharpen preparation and build self-belief.
Other European playoff outcomes
Sweden secured a World Cup place by beating Poland 3-2. Turkey also qualified with a 1-0 victory over Kosovo. Czechia advanced after beating Denmark in a penalty shootout. Those results complete the final European spots and set the stage for next summer’s global tournament lineup.
Looking ahead
Italy’s absence reshapes the competitive landscape and serves as a stark reminder that historical pedigree offers no guarantees.
For Bosnia and other qualifiers, the challenge now is converting playoff heroics into sustained performance at the World Cup.
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Expect both short-term tactical adjustments and longer-term strategic decisions as national federations react to these decisive results.
Espn Australia
