European champions Italy will miss their second World Cup in a row after Alexsandar Trajkovski’s superb stoppage-time winner for minnows North Macedonia.
The Azzurri crashed out in the play-off semi-final in one of the biggest qualifying shocks in history despite having 32 shots compared to just four for their conquerors.
It means Cristiano Ronaldo is a huge step closer reaching the finals as his Portugal side defeated Turkey 3-1 and they will now face North Macedonia next week Tuesday in the decider for a place at Qatar.
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Trajkovski struck from distance after the Azzurri’s Chelsea midfielder Jorginho missed a header – to leave the whole of Italy in shock.
‘Distraught’ Italian legend Giorgio Chiellini, who came on as a sub for injured defender Gianluca Mancini, told RAI Sport: “It’s difficult to explain, I think we again had a good game and just didn’t score the goal.
“I don’t think anyone can say we were presumptuous.
“We made mistakes from September to now and paid for them. I am proud of my teammates and this group, clearly we are distraught, we have to get restart. A large void is now within us.”
