For the second time in a row, Italy will not be in the World Cup. The Italian national team suffered a shocking and brutal defeat at the hands of North Macedonia on Thursday, resulting in the team once again missing out on the World Cup. They shockingly failed to qualify in 2018, and despite winning the 2020 Euros, the Italians have failed to clinch their ticket to Qatar.

North Macedonia were massive underdogs heading into the game, and Italy had not ever lost on its home turf in a qualifying match. Well, they were stunned by an added-time goal from the Macedonians, put away by Aleksandar Trajkovski in the 92nd minute of play in the stunning World Cup qualifying upset.

Italy registered 32 total shots in the game, though only managed to place 5 on target. Northern Macedonia had possession for just 35% of the match, tallying 4 goals and just 2 on target, including the miracle game-winner.

Trajkovski's goal came on the counter-attack late in the game, and he struck a low ball perfectly from outside of the box, beating PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma to seal Italy's fate.

The upset is one of the all-time greats in terms of international soccer, and Italy will be left wondering how they failed to qualify for back-to-back World Cups, despite winning the Euros in between. It's truly a shocking accomplishment, that seems nearly impossible. Somehow, the Italians have done it, and they'll be facing some severe scrutiny from fans back home.

After failing to qualify in Russia in 2018, the Italy squad has once again fallen flat on its face here in 2022, and will not be competing in Qatar at the World Cup. It's the first time ever the country has not featured in consecutive World Cups.

North Macedonia will play against Portugal in the World Cup Qualifying playoff final in hopes of advancing to the 2022 World Cup.