The match, held in Zenica, ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, leading to a penalty shootout where Bosnia triumphed 4-1. This victory secured Bosnia’s first World Cup appearance since 2014.

Italy’s defender Leonardo Spinazzola expressed disbelief, stating, “We still can’t believe it. It’s tragic for everyone.”

Head coach Gennaro Gattuso apologized after the match, acknowledging that the team did not meet expectations.

According to Xinhua, Italy initially seemed on the right track when Moise Kean capitalized on a significant error from Bosnia’s goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, giving the visitors a lead in the 15th minute. However, the match shifted before halftime when Italy’s center-back Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for a last-man foul, forcing the team into a prolonged defensive battle.

After being reduced to ten players, Italy attempted to hold onto their lead, but Bosnia applied relentless pressure. Finally, in the 79th minute, Haris Tabakovic equalized, making it 1-1.

No team managed to score during extra time, leading to a penalty shootout where Italy faced defeat. Sandro Tonali was the only Italian player to convert his penalty. Pio Esposito missed with a shot over the bar, while Bryan Cristante’s attempt hit the crossbar and went wide. Bosnia converted all four of their penalties, with Esmir Bajraktarevic scoring the decisive kick.

In another match on Tuesday, the Czech Republic advanced after a 2-2 draw with Denmark, winning the penalty shootout 5-3 to secure their place in the 2026 finals.

Sweden also qualified with a 3-2 victory over Poland, with Viktor Gyökeres scoring the winning goal in the 88th minute after twice relinquishing the lead.

Turkey secured their World Cup ticket with a 1-0 win over Kosovo, thanks to a decisive goal from Arda Aktaşoğlu in the 53rd minute.

With the conclusion of the European playoffs, all 16 UEFA spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are now filled. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, featuring 48 teams.

My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.