Four-time world champions Italy national football team failed to qualify for a third straight FIFA World Cup after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team in a painful penalty shootout.
No former winner has ever missed three World Cups in a row, after Italy also missed 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Missed penalties from Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante cost Italy the game, despite holding on with 10 men under coach Gennaro Gattuso.
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, led by 40-year-old captain Edin Džeko, have now qualified for only their second World Cup and will face Canada men's national soccer team, Qatar national football team, and Switzerland national football team in Group B.
It was a very disappointing night for Italy, with Gennaro Gattuso admitting the loss was painful, while football chief Gabriele Gravina called it a “serious crisis” for Italian football.
