Bosnia and Herzegovina stunned Italy in Zenica, knocking the four-time World Cup winners out of 2026 qualifying after a 1-1 draw and a 4-2 penalty win. Moise Kean’s early strike and Alessandro Bastoni’s red card set a volatile tone, but Haris Tabaković’s late equaliser and composed spot-kicks completed a historic night for the hosts and plunged Italy further into a national football crisis.
Bosnia beat Italy on penalties to deny Azzurri World Cup 2026 place
Italy’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup ended in agonising fashion as Bosnia and Herzegovina overturned an early deficit to force penalties and prevailed 4-2 in the shootout. The result completes a worrying trend for the Azzurri: missed qualification again, this time sealed in front of a raucous home crowd at Stadion Bilino Polje.
Key facts
Italy 1 (Kean 10) – Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 (Tabaković 79); Bosnia won 4-2 on penalties.
Red card: Alessandro Bastoni (Italy), just before half-time.
Venue: Stadion Bilino Polje, Zenica.
Manager (hosts): Sergej Barbarez.
How the game unfolded
Italy started sharper in a chaotic opening, pressing high and forcing mistakes. Mateo Retegui’s pressure led to a goalkeeper error, Nicolo Barella picked up the loose ball and fed Moise Kean, who finished clinically into the top corner to put the visitors ahead.
Bosnia responded with relentless intensity. Amar Memić and Ermedin Demirović repeatedly threatened down the flanks, and Esmir Bajraktarević’s delivery teed up chances that tested Gianluigi Donnarumma throughout the night.
The match took a decisive turn just before half-time when Alessandro Bastoni pulled down Memić and received a straight red for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Italy, reduced to 10 men, shuffled its formation and managed to survive until the break.
Second half and the equaliser
Down a man, Italy looked edge-ridden and increasingly passive as Bosnia dominated possession and the shot count. Chances came and went for the hosts, who finally broke through in the 79th minute when Haris Tabaković smashed in the leveller after a sustained spell of pressure.
Extra time was cagey, with both sides cautious and feeling the effects of the high-stakes occasion. Italy appealed for a red late on when Tarik Muharemović stopped a counter, but the referee showed only yellow, and the game headed to penalties.
Penalty shootout and decisive moments
The shootout exposed Italy’s frailties. Francesco Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante both missed, while Bosnia converted all four of their attempts. The hosts’ composure from the spot underscored the control they’d showcased across the evening, and the final whistle confirmed a seismic outcome: Italy, the only team to have won multiple recent global tournaments, will not be at the 2026 finals.
Individual takeaways
Moise Kean: Continued his scoring run for Italy with a composed opener, underlining his reliability in front of goal. Alessandro Bastoni: His dismissal proved pivotal — a tactical and mental blow that forced Italy onto the back foot. Haris Tabaković: Supplied the big moment his team needed, finishing a protracted spell of Bosnian pressure. Gianluigi Donnarumma: Pulled off important stops but could not alter the decisive moments from the penalty spot sequence.
What this result means
This elimination is more than one bad night; it amplifies systemic questions about Italy’s squad depth, game management and mentality under pressure. Playing a man down exposed tactical limitations and a lack of adaptive solutions. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, this result is vindication: a confidently executed game plan, disciplined defending and clinical penalties have thrust them into the global spotlight.
Implications and next steps
Italy now faces urgent choices: reassess leadership, re-evaluate player roles, and address recurring issues in transitional play and defensive concentration. For Bosnia, the victory provides momentum and belief heading into the World Cup group stage — a chance to convert a historic qualification into a tournament performance that matches expectations.
The bigger picture
Football is rarely kind to reputations, and tonight’s outcome reinforces that no pedigree guarantees passage. Bosnia’s tactical bravery and psychological resilience were the difference.
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Italy’s elimination will dominate national debate and demand sober reflection from federation and fans alike, while the hosts prepare to show the world why they deserve their spot in the 2026 finals.
The Guardian
