North Macedonia pulled off one of the greatest upsets in football history when they knocked the European champions Italy out of the race to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, to be held in November this year in Qatar.

The World Cup qualifiers play-off was held between Italy and North Macedonia played at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo, Italy. The result was going to a goal-less draw when Macedonian forward Aleksandar Trajkovski found the ball and netted it at the 92nd minute in stoppage time leading to dramatic win for the eastern European team.

Italy was defeated 1-0 by North Macedonia. The crowd reportedly boo-ed the home team as they left the pitch disappointed.

As a result, Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This is the second consecutive time this has happened. The Italian side did not participate in the 2018 World Cup in Russia after being knocked out by Sweden in the qualifiers.

North Macedonia are now into the Final of the World Cup Qualifiers and will face against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal side. This may be Ronaldo’s last stint at a football world cup if his side is successful in the final.

The Italian side were crowned champions of Europe in the Euro Cup 2020 after defeating England, and were favourites to win the World Cup.

Italy head coach Roberto Mancini while speaking to Rai Sport on his future said, “We will see. Now I feel too disappointed to speak about my future, we will see.” I am sure this team has a great future. I’m supporting these players now more than ever”

Mancini said that he was disappointed and have nothing more to say. He believed that their side deserved to win the Euro Cup and just was unlucky this time. He was very sorry for the players.

Popular Italian Football journalist Fabrizio Romano called it an ‘incredible disaster’.