Liverpool star Federico Chiesa hit with setback as unthinkable thing happens

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Italy will miss a third consecutive World Cup after losing 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina, making the country the first former winner to miss three tournaments in a row

Federico Chiesa missed the international games(Image: Getty Images)

Italy has been denied a spot at a third straight World Cup after suffering defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties.

That means Liverpool star Federico Chiesa, who missed Italy's playoff campaign, will not play at the World Cup this summer. The Azzurri, who claimed Euro 2020 glory amid their World Cup woes, will be forced to sit out this summer's showpiece event despite being four-time champions.

A decade ago, the idea of Italy missing just one World Cup was hard to fathom. Only Brazil has won more World Cups than the Azzurri, who also reached the final in 1970 and 1994.

Prior to 2018, Italy had only failed to qualify for the 1958 World Cup, having not entered the inaugural tournament in 1930.

But the Italians did not feature in Russia in 2018 or Qatar in 2022. Now they will miss out on this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is an incredible turn of events.

Italy had gone ahead against Bosnia but found itself a man down by the interval, before later conceding an equalizer.

Italy has failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups(Image: Getty Images)

Ex-Everton striker Moise Kean had given Italy the advantage after 15 minutes, but the tide turned when Alessandro Bastoni received his marching orders.

Bosnia seized control, and its numerical superiority ultimately told as Haris Tabakovic found the net with 11 minutes of normal time left.

Italy then faltered in the shootout, failing twice to lose 4-1. Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante both failed from the spot while the hosts maintained a flawless record.

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali was the sole Italian to score from 12 yards, though this counted for nothing as the Bosnians showed clinical composure from the penalty spot. Esmir Bajraktarevic struck the winning penalty to seal World Cup qualification.

This shootout defeat means Italy becomes the first former champion to miss three consecutive World Cup tournaments. Not since 2014 have the European side featured at the finals.

Italy boasts the likes of Tonali and Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Manchester City goalkeeper who was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020 but has yet to play in a World Cup.

Bosnia will travel to North America for what will be only its second-ever World Cup finals appearance, having previously qualified for the 2014 tournament. The country still counts former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, 40, as a crucial player.

The Bosnians enter Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.