'Biggest upset ever': Football world in shock over World Cup 'disaster'

·Sports Reporter

24 March 2022 at 7:11 pm·3-min read

North Macedonia (pictured left) celebrating after scoring a stoppage time winner and (pictured right) Italy's Joao Pedro reacting with despair. — North Macedonia (pictured left) scored a stoppage time winner to knock Italy (pictured right) out of World Cup qualification. (Images: Twitter/Getty Images)

Football fans couldn't believe their eyes as North Macedonia defeated football powerhouse Italy to knock the reigning European champions out of World Cup qualification.

Italy finished second in their World Cup qualification group, despite winning the Euros in July 2021, and were strong favourites to advance past North Macedonia to meet Portugal in the next round.

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Roberto Mancini's men were dominant across 90 minutes in Palermo with 32 shots.

However, in a moment that is sure to have huge ramifications, Aleksandr Trajkovski's low show shot snuck into the goal in stoppage time to send North Macedonia into raptures.

North Macedonia players stormed the field as Italy were booed off the field at full-time.

Italy have now failed to advance to the last two World Cup campaigns.

They haven't played a World Cup knockout match since winning the tournament in 2006.

The football world was quick to react to one of the most unbelievable upsets in football history.

WOW. ITALY MISS OUT ON BACK TO BACK WORLD CUPS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/zyBiJVxnFM
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) 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

After missing on Russia 2018, Italy are out of the World Cup 2022. What an incredible disaster. 🇮🇹 #Italy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 24, 2022

1-0 North Macedonia.

A 92ND MINUTE GOAL! ITALY ARE NOT GOING TO THE WORLD CUP! INSANE MOMENT IN FOOTBALL! pic.twitter.com/pgbkSttPzC
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) March 24, 2022

Italy missing two World Cups in a row, this sport is truly unbelievable.
— Mod (@CFCMod_) March 24, 2022

Italy losing to North Macedonia should be the biggest upset ever in any World Cup qualifiers 😳
— The Table Shaker ♥️ (@Damzyworld) March 24, 2022

Italy react to World Cup disaster

Following the match, Italian midfielder Jorginho admitted the result was painful for his nation.

"It is a huge disappointment," Jorginho told Rai Sport.

"It hurts, it hurts so much.

"We have always created and dominated matches but we have not been able to finish teams off. It is not to blame anyone in particular but it is the reality.

"I don't know why we haven't been able to do this, I am also involved in this, and it hurts me to think about it."

Giorgio Chiellini (pictured left) and Jorginho (pictured right) devastated as they walk off at the end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier knockout match. — Giorgio Chiellini (pictured left) and Jorginho (pictured right) walk off at the end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier knockout round play-off match against North Macedonia. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) (Claudio Villa via Getty Images)

While Italy and their coach Roberto Mancini will be licking their wounds some eight months after lifting the Euro title, North Macedonia now face a deciding match against Portugal on Tuesday for a place at the finals in Qatar.

Portugal beat Turkey 3-1 in Porto after Turkey veteran Burak Yilmaz missed a penalty for a 2-2 equaliser with six minutes left.

Cristiano Ronaldo's men will now be confident they can qualify for the World Cup after avoiding the Euro champion's in the final round of qualification.

with AAP

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