AfriPulse
Four-time champions Italy will miss a third consecutive FIFA World Cup after a dramatic play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Tuesday night, March 31.
Italy looked on course early when Moise Kean fired them ahead after 15 minutes. The tie turned before the break when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off, leaving the visitors clinging on for more than half the match with ten men.
Bosnia levelled in the 79th minute through Haris Tabakovic and held their nerve in the shoot-out. Esmir Bajraktarevic converted the winning penalty in a 4-1 shoot-out triumph that sends Bosnia into Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.
Italy become the first former world champions to fail to qualify for three successive editions of the tournament.
Elsewhere, Turkey national football team booked their return to the finals with a 1-0 victory away to Kosovo.
The decisive moment arrived eight minutes after the restart when Kerem Akturkoglu turned in Orkun Kokcu’s effort to silence the home crowd in Pristina.
The win secures Turkey’s first World Cup appearance since 2002 and places them in Group D with the United States, Paraguay and Australia.
In Stockholm, Sweden national football team clinched a thrilling 3-2 win over Poland national football team to end an eight-year wait for a place at the global finals.
Anthony Elanga and Gustaf Lagerbielke twice put Sweden ahead, but Poland hit back through Nicola Zalewski and Karol Swiderski. With extra time looming, Viktor Gyokeres bundled home a late winner after a frantic scramble to spark celebrations across the Swedish capital.
Source: Naijanews.com | Read the Full Story…
