In the semi-finals of the European Play-offs of the World Preliminary Tournament, Italy was eliminated by North Macedonia 1-0 at home, missing two consecutive World Cups. After the match, Italian midfielder Jorginho admitted that he would spend his life remembering the two penalties he missed.
The two penalties that Jorginho said were two penalties conceded against Switzerland over two legs of the World Preliminary Round group stage. The first was to face Switzerland in the first leg away, Jorginho's penalty was saved by the opposing goalkeeper Sommer in the second half, and the final score was 0-0; the second was at home to Switzerland in the second leg, Gerginho kicked the penalty away in the 90th minute, Italy had no chance to complete the reverse, and the final score was 1-1.
At the end of the group stage 8 rounds, Switzerland defeated Bulgaria 4-0 in the last round, and then overtook Italy to the top with a 2-point advantage, and Italy's close to the first place in the group and the World Cup qualification were snatched away by Switzerland. Jorginho faced these two penalties against Switzerland, even if one is scored, Italy will directly qualify for the first place in the group, not to play the play-offs, let alone be eliminated by North Macedonia.
256 days ago, Jorginho helped Italy win the European Championship for the second time in 53 years. At that time, he held the Champions League and the European Cup, and he was touted as a golden globe favorite. Of course, let's not forget that in the penalty shootout in the European Cup final, Jorginho lost the winning penalty as the last penalty, but Donnarumma saved Saka's penalty at the last whistle, and Italy won the championship.
Now, Jorginho's two penalties against Switzerland in the two legs of the World Cup make him a sinner in Italian football. You know, this is the first time in 92 years that Italy has missed two consecutive World Cups, and this time it is still absent as a European Championship champion.
Italy's exit was indeed a surprise, not just because they were eliminated by North Macedonia 1-0, but because I don't know why they had a series of weird overturns in the last two rounds of the World Preliminary Round group stage. In the final two rounds of the World Preliminary Round against Switzerland and Northern Ireland, even if they win one game, they basically lock in the first place in the group. In the last 3 World Preliminary Tournaments, Italy has not tasted a single victory in 2 draws and 1 loss, which has indeed made European champion coach Mancini walk off the altar.