Media Kampung – 02 April 2026 | Italy’s national team confirmed its absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia‑Herzegovina.
The match in Zenica ended 1‑1 after extra time, and Bosnia converted all four spot‑kicks while Italy managed only one.
Moise Kean opened the scoring in the 15th minute following a defensive error by Bosnia’s goalkeeper.
Bosnia equalised through Haris Tabaković in the second half, forcing the game into extra time.
Alessandro Bastoni received a second‑yellow card in the 41st minute, leaving Italy with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma faced four penalties but could not stop any of them.
Veteran forward Edin Džeko calmly converted his spot‑kick, securing Bosnia’s second World Cup appearance.
After the shootout, coach Gennaro Gattuso struggled to hold back tears and described the loss as “a painful blow for the whole nation”.
“We needed this for Italy, for our football movement; the defeat is hard to digest,” Gattuso told RAI Sport.
FIGC president Gabriele Gravina acknowledged a deep crisis within Italian football but vowed not to resign.
“The system is in trouble, but I will stay to work on a solution,” Gravina said in a press conference.
Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi condemned the failure, calling it the result of a “rotted structure” dating back to the Calciopoli scandal.
Moggi argued that the 2006 match‑fixing episode shattered the governance model that once produced the 2006 World Cup triumph.
“Since Calciopoli, the foundations have eroded; we are now seeing the consequences on the pitch,” he added.
The defeat marks the third consecutive World Cup miss for Italy, after absences in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
Historically, Italy had qualified for every tournament since 1990, making this a stark deviation from past performance.
Players such as Leonardo Spinazzola expressed disappointment, noting that Italian children will grow up without seeing their heroes on the world stage.
“It is heartbreaking to think our youngsters will never experience a World Cup with Italy,” Spinazzola said.
Mid‑fielder Niccolò Barella highlighted the missed opportunity to build momentum after the early goal.
“We could have turned the game around, but the red card and penalties stopped us,” he reflected.
The loss also raises questions about the future of the squad, many of whom are now in their thirties.
Goalkeeper Donnarumma, aged 27, will likely focus on his club career with Manchester City after the national disappointment.
Pep Guardiola praised Donnarumma’s performances for City, encouraging him to channel the setback into domestic success.
Italy’s next steps involve a comprehensive review of youth development, coaching standards, and federation transparency.
Analysts suggest that only a structural overhaul, beginning with grassroots investment, can restore Italy’s former status as a football power.
As the nation reflects on the missed opportunity, the Azzurri legacy remains tied to past glories and the urgent need for renewal.
Artikel ini dipublikasikan oleh Media Kampung.
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