Italy has suffered another failure; for the third consecutive World Cup it has been eliminated, this time in the final of the playoffs against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a modest team with just three million inhabitants.
Donnarumma and his World Cup curse
The Italian goalkeeper is currently one of the best in his position, reigning Champions League champion, an achievement that earned him a move to Manchester City, but at international level he has had very little joy.
Donnarumma was a Euro 2021 champion, but as far as the World Cup is concerned, he has simply not been able to play in a single one. This is a remarkable fact, as Gigi made his debut at just 16 years of age, so if he had qualified in the past, Donnarumma could be close to playing in his third World Cup. However, he will now have to wait four more years and, if he qualifies, he will play in the 2030 World Cup at the age of 31.
Donnarumma and the penalty that could have changed everything
Italy was eliminated on penalties, and during Bosnia’s fourth penalty, Donnarumma came very close to saving Tahirovic‘s shot; a save that would have given the Italian national team a second chance. It should be noted that the Italian goalkeeper is not even close to being one of the main culprits for the elimination, but his look of frustration after that decisive goal says it all, he was inches away from keeping the Azzurri alive.
Italy eliminated from 2026 World Cup
The penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina not only meant elimination on the road to 2026, but also confirmed a crisis that has plagued the Azzurra at decisive moments.
The 1-1 draw in regulation time left mixed feelings. Italy took the lead through Moise Kean, but the sending off of Alessandro Bastoni completely changed the course of the match. With one man less, the team lost its shape and allowed the opponents to react, finding an equaliser and forcing a penalty shootout.
Once again, Italy fell apart. Bosnia showed determination, while the Italians showed doubts. The decisive penalty, converted by Benjamin Tahirovic, sealed the fate of Gennaro Gattuso’s team.
The elimination is not an isolated event. It represents Italy’s third consecutive absence from a World Cup, a fact that reflects the magnitude of the problem and as a consequence a great goalkeeper, Gigi Donnarumma, has not been able to experience what it is like to play in a World Cup.