Italy’s nightmare continues. The Azzurri will miss a third consecutive FIFA World Cup after a devastating play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, falling short in a dramatic penalty shootout that has plunged Italian football into yet another crisis.

There was early promise for Italy, who started brightly and took the lead in the 15th minute through Moise Kean

The key moment arrived just before half-time, when Alessandro Bastoni was shown a red card, leaving Italy a man down. The dismissal completely shifted the momentum, forcing Gennaro Gattuso’s side into a defensive shell for much of the second half.

Under sustained pressure, Italy finally cracked in the 79th minute, as Haris Tabakovic found the equaliser for Bosnia and Herzegovina, sending the tie into extra time.

The additional period was a tense and exhausting affair, with neither side able to find a winner. But in the penalty shootout, composure deserted Italy. Misses from Francesco Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante proved costly, as Bosnia and Herzegovina converted with confidence to seal a 4-1 shootout victory after a 1-1 draw.

FIFA World Cup 2026, Qualifiers

Bosnia - Italy 1:1 (0:1), shoot-out 4:1
Goals: Kean M., 15 (0:1); Tabakovic, 79 (1:1)

Bosnia: Vasilj N.; Kolasinac (Alajbegović, 46); Dedic A.; Katić; Šunjić I. (Tahirovic, 46); Muharemovic; Bašić І. (Tabakovic, 71); Memic Am. (Burnić, 71); Bajraktarević; Demirovic (Hadžiahmetović, 115); Dzeko
Substitution: Tahirovic (from 46); Alajbegović (from 46); Burnić (from 71); Tabakovic (from 71); Hadžiahmetović (from 115)
Bench: Hadzikic; Zlomislić; Mujakic N.; Čelik N.; Radeljic; Gigovic; Baždar
Yellow Cards: Tahirovic 54; Muharemovic 102; Katić 114

Italy: Donnarumma G.; Dimarco (Spinazzola, 91); Calafiori; Bastoni (till 41); Mancini G.; Locatelli (Cristante, 71); Politano (Palestra, 46); Tonali; Barella (Frattesi, 85); Retegui (Gatti, 44); Kean M. (Pio Esposito, 71)
Substitution: Gatti (from 44); Palestra (from 46); Cristante (from 71); Pio Esposito (from 71); Frattesi (from 85); Spinazzola (from 91)
Bench: Carnesecchi; Meret; Buongiorno; Cambiaso А.; Pisilli; Raspadori
Yellow Cards: Donnarumma G. 81; Frattesi 120
Red cards: Bastoni 41'