Portugal moves while the European Champions Italy failed to qualify for the World Championship

History was written in the streets of Palermo last night when the European giants Italy were knocked out of the race to qualify for the World Championship. North Macedonia did the unthinkable and did something no one thought was possible as Italy was the clear favourites to win the tie. A shot from 25 yards away did the trick in stoppage time and the entire nation was stunned with tears in their eyes.

After the historic goal, all the players and the support staff of North Macedonia raided the pitch and celebrated while the fans were jumping in the stands with the flag held high. Beating Italy in such a crucial fixture talks about their mental strength and perseverance.

Coming back to Italy, the Azzuris have failed to qualify for the Championship for the second successive year now. The last time they played the tournament was in 2014 and even then they were knocked out in the group stage. No one expects the European Champions to get knocked out and not seal their berth in the World Championship but it has happened.

Marco Verratti in the post match conference expressed his disappointment. He said, “Looking around the locker room, we had the players to challenge for the tournament itself, yet here we are talking about a disaster. It’s so tough to go from hero to zero”.

When Italy was left stunned, Portugal did their job and qualified for the next stage where the winner between Portugal and North Macedonia will move to the finals of the World Championship while the other will bow out of the tournament. Otavio scored in the 15th minute while the Liverpool forward Diogo Jota scored in the 42nd minute to extend the lead. Burak Yilmiz pulled one back but the substitute Matheus Nunes made it 3-1 in stoppage time.

The fans will be happy to understand the fact that the team is no more dependent on Cristiano Ronaldo. Others are contributing and that is why and how Portugal became such a dangerous team. Without the likes of Ruben Dias, Renato Sanchez and other key players in the team, Portugal showed the hunger they have in them and what they can do when the walls hit their back.

North Macedonia and Portugal will face each other on Tuesday and as said, the winner will go to Qatar while the other needs to sit in front of the TV and choose another country to support.