Sports
Italy break 60 years record by failing to qualify for world Cup
Italian football suffered one of its greatest disasters as the national side missed out on the World Cup finals for the first time in 60 years.
Despite relentless pressure and countless chances the Azzurri failed to overturn the 1-0 deficit from the first leg, plunging the football-mad nation into anger and despair.
Now November 13, 2017 will go down in infamy as one of its darkest nights.
In the short term national coach Gian Piero Ventura will almost certainly be sacked, and legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will retire.
But the shock waves will reverberate far and wide in country whose national team has been a fixture at 14 successive finals and has won the World Cup four times. They are expected to qualify as an absolute bare minimum.
Ventura’s side, toothless in the first leg, carved out enough opportunities to break the deadlock in the San Siro but a combination of bad luck, bad finishing and inspired defending denied them.
The upshot is that today a bewildered, disbelieving nation is waking up to the prospect of watching Russia 2018 without the famous blue jerseys of Italy.
In contrast the Swedish side that somehow kept Italy at bay have become instant national heroes.
In the wake of talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s retirement Swedish football was thought to be facing decline, bu, instead, Janne Andersson’s men have carved their place in national folklore.
“I’m not sorry for myself but all of Italian football,” said Buffon.
“We failed at something which also means something on a social level. There’s regret at finishing like that, not because time passes.
“Those who’ve played know how hard these matches are. We weren’t able to express ourselves at our best.
“We lacked the composure to score. Play-offs are decided by episodes and they went against us but you can understand that when you’re at fault.
“We have pride, strength and we’re stubborn. We know how to get back up again as we’ve always done.
“I’m leaving an Italy side that will know how to speak for itself. Hugs to everyone, especially those I’ve shared this wonderful journey with.
“Blame is shared equally between everyone. There can’t be scapegoats. Win together, lose together.”
As kick-off approached the white-hot atmosphere in the San Siro reflected the high stakes, although the crowd took their passion too far by whistling the Swedish national anthem.
Ventura’s side started positively with Southampton’s Manolo Gabbiadini partnering Ciro Immobile in attack.
However despite early pressure they were finding it tough to create clear-cut chances.
The Italians did manage to carve the Swedish defence open in the 27th minute when an exquisite lobbed pass from Jorginho found Immobile in space on the left.
He cut it back across goal and it fell for Antonio Candreva, whose effort skimmed the top of the crossbar.
Five minutes from half-time Immobile got on the end of another gorgeous Jorginho pass and beat Swedish keeper Robin Olsen, only for Granqvist to get back to clear.
It looked as if the Swedes’ brave resistance was about to crack under the strain, and Allessandro Florenzi had another glorious chance just before half-time but Olsen saved brilliantly to preserve the 0-0 scoreline.
The second half opened with another claim for a penalty – this time when right-back Mikael Lustig’s knee connected with Darmian’s ribcage – but again referee Lahoz was unmoved.
In the 53rd minute Florenzi again came close, this time with an acrobatic volley from the edge of the 18-yard box.
The Swedes seemed to have taken the sting out of the Italian threat and even had a handful of half chances to themselves.
However in the 87th minute El Shaarawy crashed in a volley that was well saved, yet again, by Olsen.
As the match ticked over into added time the Italians became desperate, and Buffon hauled his ageing body upfield for their last two corners.
But is was all in vain, and when the referee blew for time the Azzurri players collapsed on the turf as a crescendo of boos rang round the the San Siro. The unthinkable had happened.
“We had no weapons left,” said Sweden coach Jan Andersson.
“We just had to sit there and hope that we could hang on.
“We couldn’t do it in any other way, they are so skilful.”
Real Madrid produced a spectacular comeback against Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final with Joselu striking twice late on, earning them a 2-1 win on Wednesday to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
Alphonso Davies smashed the visiting German giants ahead in the second half but record 14-time winners Madrid produced a sensational comeback with Joselu netting in the 88th and 91st minutes.
Bayern Munich’s Canadian midfielder #19 Alphonso Davies scores his team’s first goal in spite of Real Madrid’s Ukrainian goalkeeper #13 Andriy Lunin during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)
Spanish champions Real Madrid face another German side, Borussia Dortmund, in the Wembley final on June 1, after they stunned the team they call their “black beast”.
Squad player Joselu, on as a late substitute, wrote his name in Madrid’s history books with his last-gasp brace.
Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane reacts to their defeat after the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
“There have been a lot of times we have looked dead and buried, but we have that mentality of never say die,” said Real midfielder Jude Bellingham.
“Joselu deserves it all, he has been an amazing squad member this season.”
Madrid had enjoyed the better of the match but it seemed Davies’ superb strike had set up a repeat of the 2013 all-German final in London.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel made three changes from the first leg, benching veteran Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka.
Dani Carvajal started for Madrid after missing the first leg suspended and was heavily involved as the hosts dominated the opening stages.
Real Madrid players celebrate their second goal scored by Real Madrid’s Spanish forward #14 Joselu during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
Rodrygo Goes was inches away from converting Carvajal’s low cross and the Spain defender then cleverly set up Vinicius Junior with a pass nutmegging a defender, and Manuel Neuer tipped the Brazilian’s shot against the post.
The rebound fell to Rodrygo but his effort was weak and with a desperate arm Neuer was able to claw it out to complete a fine double save.
Bayern’s Serge Gnabry limped off injured with Davies replacing him before Harry Kane’s first flash of danger.
Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was alert to push the England captain’s vicious long-range volley around the post.
Neuer palmed away a Vinicius free-kick as the teams ended a high-intensity, relentlessly frantic first half level.
The second period was just as fraught, with Davies’ cross deflecting onto the roof of Lunin’s goal.
Vinicius was unplayable down Madrid’s left and Rodrygo prodded his low cross agonisingly wide of the far post.
The 38-year-old Neuer made superb saves to deny both Brazilian forwards again before the hour mark as Madrid controlled the game and ratcheted up the pressure.
However just as in Munich, when Los Blancos were at their strongest, Bayern pounced.
Kane fed Davies and the Canada international cut inside from the left and smashed a shot beyond Lunin into the far top corner after 68 minutes.
Madrid thought they had levelled moments later through Nacho but after a VAR review the strike was ruled out as the defender had grabbed Joshua Kimmich’s face before shooting.
Tuchel took off Kane in the final stages to try and hold on to victory but it slipped through his fingers as Madrid produced more indelible European memories.
Neuer, who had been sublime to this point, fumbled what appeared a simple Vinicius strike and Joselu gratefully bundled home from close range.
With Bayern reeling Madrid struck again, decisively. It was Joselu once more, the striker on loan from second division side Espanyol, turning home after Antonio Rudiger cut the ball back to him.
The goal was ruled offside but officials overturned the decision after review, and after nearly 15 minutes of stoppage time, Madrid earned the chance to go for their 15th Champions League trophy.
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