World Cup 2026 play-offs: Italy surprised on penalties as Arsenal FC star sends Sweden by

Italy missed out on taking part in on the World Cup for a 3rd straight time after the Azzurri have been overwhelmed on penalties within the play-offs by Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Gennaro Gattuso’s aspect laboured to a 1-1 attract Zenica, in a sport the place Alessandro Bastoni was despatched off.

Moise Kean opened the scoring on quarter-hour for the Italians, however Haris Tabakovic levelled on 79 minutes to pressure a further half-hour and finally spot-kicks.

Francesco Esposito missed Italy’s first penalty because the host stormed right into a 3-1 lead, and Bryan Cristante was denied with the fourth, handing Esmir Bajraktarevic the possibility to ship Sergej Barbarez’s males to Canada, Mexico and america this summer season.

He duly did so, and the 2006 world champions have been denied their entry to this 12 months’s version.

Bosnia-Herzegovina had already defeated Wales on penalties on the Principality Stadium within the semi-final final week, and stepped as much as the spot as soon as extra to e-book their aircraft tickets.

Elsewhere, Sweden snuck previous Poland in a topsy-turvy affair on the Strawberry Area.

Former Chelsea and West Ham boss Graham Potter, who lately signed a brand new take care of the Swedes, led his aspect to a 3-2 victory, with Anthony Elanga opening the scoring and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres netting a dramatic late winner.

Nicola Zalewski had equalised for the Poles within the first half earlier than Gustaf Lagerbielke restored the hosts’ benefit.

Karol Swiderski levelled as soon as extra ten minutes into the second interval, earlier than Gyokeres struck two minutes from time.

Kerem Akturkoglu’s strike was sufficient to ship Turkey by in opposition to Romania, whereas the Czech Republic – who defeated Eire on penalties of their semi-final – wanted spot-kicks as soon as extra to eke previous Denmark.

Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund missed from the spot for the Danes, as did Brentford’s Mathias Jensen. West Ham’s Tomas Soucek tucked his penalty away for the Czechs.

Within the inter-confederation event over in Mexico, 5 confederations did battle for the ultimate two spots at this 12 months’s World Cup.

Jamaica took on DR Congo having seen off New Caledonia of their semi-final, whereas Bolivia confronted off in opposition to Iraq after sneaking previous Suriname.