The European champions lost 1-0 to North Macedonia – the finals in Qatar, like those in Russia four years ago, will be held without the Squadra Azzurra. Austria are also out after a 2-1 draw with Wales, Portugal can still hope.
European football champions Italy sensationally missed out on participating in the World Cup. Coach Roberto Mancini’s team surprisingly lost 1-0 (0-0) to outsiders North Macedonia in the playoff semifinals in Palermo on Thursday. Aleksandar Trajkovski (90+2) scored for the guests in added time. Italy missed a World Cup twice in a row for the first time in their history. The Squadra Azzurra was not there in Russia in 2018.
Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, can continue to hope for participation in the 2022 World Cup. The Portuguese won their play-off game against Turkey with national coach Stefan Kuntz 3: 1 (2: 0), but next Tuesday (8:45 p.m. / DAZN) it will not be against the Italians as expected.
In Porto Otavio (15th), Diogo Jota (42nd) and Matheus Nunes (90th + 4th) scored for the hosts, veteran star Burak Yilmaz (65th) shortened – but then missed a penalty kick in the 85th minute. For Germany’s former U21 coach Kuntz it was the first defeat with the Turks in the fifth game, and their dream of participating in the World Cup for the first time since 2002 was shattered.
For Austria and the German coach Franco Foda, however, the dream of the World Cup in Cardiff was shattered. In Wales, the ÖFB selection lost 1: 2 (0: 1). The Welsh are now set to play a decider against Ukraine or Scotland in the summer, a play-off semi-final postponed amid Russia’s war of aggression. It is scheduled to take place in June.
Austria fails at Gareth Bale
Austria failed mainly because of Gareth Bale: The exceptional Welsh player, only second choice at Real Madrid, scored twice (25th/51st). Bayern Munich’s Marcel Sabitzer (64th) only managed to connect.
Sweden also remains in the race for a World Cup ticket, beating the Czech Republic 1-0 (0-0) after extra time after a goal by ex-Mainzer Robin Quaison in Stockholm and is now traveling to Poland for the playoff final. The team around world footballer Robert Lewandowski had progressed without a fight because Fifa had suspended the Russian selection because of the aggressive war against Ukraine.
In a benefit match for Ukraine, Poland drew 1-1 (0-0) in Scotland on Thursday evening. Ex-Hertha player Krzysztof Piatek scored a penalty in injury time (90+4) to equalize. Arsenal professional Kieran Tierney (68th) gave the hosts the lead at Hampden Park in Glasgow.