Italy will miss a third consecutive FIFA World Cup after suffering a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina following a 1-1 draw in Zenica on Tuesday night. Bosnia sealed a return to the finals for the first time since 2014, while the four-time world champions were left facing another painful failure on the road to football’s biggest stage.
The Azzurri had taken the lead early on through Moise Kean, who finished confidently after Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj gifted possession in a dangerous area. But the match swung heavily before half-time when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off, leaving Italy to play the remainder of the contest with 10 men.
Bosnia pushed strongly for a way back and eventually found it late in normal time when Haris Tabaković forced home the equaliser after sustained pressure. Neither side could find a winner in extra time, sending the playoff to penalties in front of a charged atmosphere at Bilino Polje.
From the spot, Italy faltered. The hosts were clinical, while the Azzurri paid for their misses as Bosnia completed a historic qualification and condemned Italy to yet another World Cup absence. Bosnia now head to the 2026 finals, while Italy are left to reflect on an unprecedented decline for one of the game’s traditional powers
