In a play-off match in the European zone of the World Preliminary Tournament in the early morning of March 25, Beijing time, Italy was upset at home, losing 0-1 to North Macedonia, missing the World Cup in advance. It was a very magical game. Italy used its home advantage to attack wildly, and at one point suppressed North Macedonia breathlessly. However, the quality of Italy's shots was too bad to score. Among them, Berardi had an excellent opportunity to open the goal, but his pushing power was too small, and it was really incredible to be confiscated by the goalkeeper who was chasing back. Berardi failed to score in all eight shots. Italy scored 0 goals on goal in 32 shots. North Macedonia seized the opportunity in stoppage time, with Terrajkovsky's long-range shot giving Italy a heavy punch. The final score was set at 0-1, and Italy lost at home. Italy suffered a devastating blow and missed the World Cup. Italy has missed the World Cup for two consecutive years, and as the world number 6 team, such a result is unacceptable.
When Italy won the European Championship, Mancini received overwhelming applause, but at this moment, he became a sinner for the team. This game also allowed Mancini to create a shameful record in the history of the team, which was the first defeat at home in the italian team's all-time world preliminary round, and had not lost 59 games at home before, and it was unbelievable that this time it was to fall on such an opponent. Mancini was very difficult to accept for such a result, and he said after the game that it was ridiculous to concede the goal in the 90th minute.
Jorginho performed average in this game, with 4 key passes, 4 interceptions and 7 points. However, people never forget that it was Jorginho who conceded a key penalty in the previous game, which brought Italy to the current desperate situation. And Zoginho himself can not forget, he said after the game: "I took two penalties and I was not able to help the team, it will be something that I have been carrying on my body, it is very heavy, it makes me miserable. ”
The Italian national team players who played for Paris Saint-Germain were the worst, being knocked out of the Champions League at the club and eliminated by weak teams in the national team. Donnarumma was under very little pressure in the whole game, with only four shots on goal, he made 1 save, conceded 1 goal, and once again became the background of the loss. Although Verratti performed well, none of the eight key passes he sent were converted into goals.
This match also made fans say hotly: "Italy is more miserable than the national football team." Italy has the absolute strength to play the World Cup, and it has the strength to compete for the World Cup title, but the result is in the play-offs. The inability of the national football team to qualify for the World Cup is entirely a matter of strength, there is no hope, it is a certain event. "I thought the play-off final might be Italy versus Turkey, but I didn't expect it to be Portugal versus North Macedonia." "Portugal are the biggest beneficiaries, the hopes of qualifying for the World Cup have increased significantly, and it seems hopeful to see Messi meet Cristiano Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup."