In an unexpected outcome, Italy will miss their third consecutive World Cup after a defeat to Bosnia & Herzegovina this evening.
Italy, a four-time world champion, has not participated in the World Cup finals since 2014 in Brazil, where they exited in the group stage, similar to their performance in 2010 in South Africa.
The national team’s decline has continued, now just short of qualifying.
Italy initially took the lead in the 15th minute with a goal from Moise Kean of Fiorentina, looking to secure an advantage. However, Bosnia & Herzegovina responded strongly, forcing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to make several key saves.
A turning point occurred just before halftime when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for fouling Amar Memic as he advanced through the defense. Despite being down to ten men, Italy maintained their lead until the 79th minute, when Haris Tabakovic, just eight minutes on the field, scored for Bosnia.
The match ended in a draw, leading to extra time and ultimately penalties. Italy struggled during the shootout, with Francesco Esposito missing the first kick, though Sandro Tonali scored their next attempt. However, with Bosnia converting all their penalties, Bryan Cristante’s miss resulted in Italy’s elimination.
Manchester United‘s Interest in Sandro Tonali
Manchester United has shown interest in Sandro Tonali, currently with Newcastle United, viewing him as a potential successor to Casemiro.
Recently, it was reported that United has initiated discussions with the 25-year-old’s representatives. While Tonali is focused on his current season, he is also considering a move to Old Trafford.
His recent performance means he is now a key target for the summer transfer window, and Italy’s loss may impact this positively. If Tonali had played well at the World Cup, it would likely have attracted more attention, and his market value could have increased significantly from the current estimate of £70 million.
Furthermore, with Italy not participating in the World Cup, transfer negotiations can proceed without delay, allowing United to move forward more smoothly. Italy’s setbacks seem to offer a clearer path for United to secure one of the top midfield talents in the Premier League without the usual distractions or inflated prices following World Cup performances.
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