Italy’s World Cup exile will continue after it fell to a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica.
Penalties were needed to decide the play-off final after it ended in a 1-1 draw.
Four-time champions Italy had lost out at the play-off stage to miss the last two World Cups.
Its last qualification in 2014 coincided with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s only previous appearance.
Italy got off to the perfect start, with Moise Kean putting his side ahead in the 15th minute.
But Italy had Alessandro Bastoni sent off four minutes before the break to raise the hopes of the home side.
Bosnia and Herzegovina levelled 11 minutes from time through Haris Tabaković.
Both Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed their penalties for Italy, while the hosts made no mistake from the spot to repeat their semifinal shootout win over Wales.
“We still don’t believe it — that we’re out and that it happened in this manner,” Italy defender Leonardo Spinazzola said.
“It’s upsetting for everyone. For us, for our families, and for all the kids who have never seen Italy at a World Cup.”
Italy’s last World Cup knockout match was when it won the title in 2006 by beating France in a penalty shootout.
None of Italy’s current players have participated in a World Cup finals.
The defeat will raise questions about the status of Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso.
Gattuso took over from the fired Luciano Spalletti in June with the squad already in crisis mode following a defeat at Norway in its opening qualifier.
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