The Italy national team suffered arguably the biggest upset defeat of the year on Thursday, as North Macedonia clinched a 1-0 win to move on to face Portugal in the Path C final of the UEFA playoffs for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Italy maintained possession with ease over the course of the match, as manager Roberto Mancini’s midfield trio of Nicolo Barella, Jorginho and Marco Verratti each logged at least 60 touches. While Italy racked up 32 shots in the fixture, it failed to find the back of the net. In the end, Aleksandar Trajkovski scored a late goal to send the Euro 2020 winners out packing.
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini did not earn a start in the match but was rather subbed into the contest moments before Trajkovski’s late, game-winning goal.
Chiellini suffered heartbreak four years ago when Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. This time around, as he touched on in his post-match press conference, the disappointment is unmeasurable.
“There is great disappointment,” Chiellini said. “We played a good game, we missed the goal. I'm proud of my teammates. We are destroyed. I hope the future is still with coach Mancini.”
As Chiellini noted, he backs Mancini to stay on as manager of Italy, who led the Azzurri to triumph in Euro 2020. Mancini signed off on an extension deal last May, which upped his contract length with the side until 2026.
In the big picture, Italy’s wait for a return to the World Cup knockout stage will carry on, as it has not played in this portion of the sport’s most prestigious tournament since 2006.
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