Thunderbolt in Palermo, North Macedonia’s overtime goal eliminated Italy (1-0) and canceled the long-awaited final against Portugal, which they beat against Turkey (3-1), Thursday.
Wales also qualified thanks to Gareth Bale’s double against Austria (2-1) and will play in June against the winner from Scotland and Ukraine, a match postponed due to the war.
Finally, Sweden’s overtime win over the Czech Republic (1-0) promises a generous duel between Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is suspended on Thursday, and Robert Lewandowski in the third final.
Liwa Poland automatically qualified after Russia was sidelined by the invasion of Ukraine.
But the most incredible news came from Italy. The quadruple world champion, the European champion, will miss the World Cup finals for the second time in a row.
After defeating Sweden four years ago (1-0/0-0), Nacionale again failed in the play-offs. Italy’s children will live twelve years without the World Cup…
Nervous, carrying the ball as much as Parisian Marco Verratti, Roberto Mancini’s men never found the resilient game that put them on the surface of Europe last summer.
Domenico Berardi spoiled a lot, even a gift from Macedonian goalkeeper Stoll Dimitrievsky (30), Giacomo Rasbadori (78), and Alexander Trajkovski punished them. His goal is superb, chest control and a cross shot to deceive Gianluigi Donnarumma, who lived a nightmarish month, starting with Karim Benzema’s three goals at Real Madrid with Paris Saint-Germain.
In the sporting history of North Macedonia, the miracle of Palermo was joined by the “Miracle of Duisburg”, the victory in Germany (2-1), which contributed to their transfer to this dam.
– Yilmaz misses a penalty –
To compete in a second major competition, after Euro 2020, the Macedonians must beat another former European champion.
Portugal was afraid of Turkey, especially when Lille’s player, Burak Yilmaz, took the penalty kick to equalize 2-2 (85th place).
Seleção has been in the lead since the goals of Otavio (15) and then Diogo Jota (42), but Yilmaz (65) revived Turkey. At the end of the match, Mateos Nunes took the win.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still on his way to join the players who have played in the World Cup five times. He did not score but participated in his team’s goals.
Wales relied on their star, Gareth Bale, the captain and legend who sent his team to the final with two superb goals, a direct free kick in the top corner (25) and a pivotal cross shot in the penalty area (51). Marcel Sabitzer only lowered the score (65).
Thanks to their leader, the Dragons are still competing for the World Cup for the second time, after 1958. They will have to wait until June to see if they face Scotland or Ukraine.
In Solna, in a tense match, a wonderful exchange between Alexander Isak and Robin Quayson led to the second goal (110), ten minutes after the end of extra time.
eba / bvo / hpa
