Milan: Italy failed to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1958 on Monday as they were held to a 0-0 draw in the second leg of their play-off at the San Siro by Sweden, who qualified with a 1-0 aggregate victory.
The four-time champions dominated possession but struggled to create enough clear-cut chances, as Sweden secured a first appearance at the finals since 2006 courtesy of Jakob Johansson’s first-leg strike in Stockholm.
Despite the support of 74,000 fans in a white-hot atmosphere at the San Siro the 2006 World Cup winners could not find a way through.
It is the third time that the Italians will not compete at the World Cup, after not going to the first edition in 1930 and not qualifying for the 1958 finals in Sweden.
Following are fans' reactions to the "intolerable football shame" after Italy missed out on the qualification for the 2018 World Cup:
Samer Khalaf, 27 years
As a football fan it’s sad to see the Azzurri fail to qualify to the world cup for the first time in 50 years. It’s heart breaking to know that the legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon played his last international match for Italy. Although the Italian side created enough opportunities to score and break the deadlock, a combination of bad luck, poor finishing and the lack of composure to score stood between them and the dream to fly to Russia.
Lina Al Qaissy, 26 years
Well to be honest, I clearly remember the World Cup final of 2006, and how Italy won, so the fact that they won’t even be here this upcoming World Cup is going to be so weird and it would definitely feel like one of the important players are missing. However, the quality of the teammates and with the way they’ve been playing lately, they didn’t deserve to qualify. However, they will definitely be missed!
Omar Qirem, 36 years
Dubai: In the long run, this may actually be good for Italy. Just like Germany following the 2002 World Cup in Korea, where they cleaned out the dead wood after losing the final to Brazil. This wake-up call will allow Italy to regroup, build a team around younger and hungrier players like Napoli’s Insigne, and eventually come out stronger on the other end. I expect that this will take some time to figure out though.
Khalid Walid Saleh, 26 years
Italy not qualifying to the 2018 World Cup is definitely a historic moment. As a 26 year old fan this is the first time it has happened in my life. Italy has always been known as a World Cup heavy weight. They are the marque team, and you would always expect to see the blue jerseys on the field. I don’t think this is a trend for the future more of a hiccup, a rare occasion.
Yomna Aref, 26 years
I never thought I would see the day, where Egypt qualifies for the world cup and Italy doesn’t.
Luigi Di Rito, 37 years
I am shocked that Italy is out of World Cup. In Italy football is such an important topic. Since I was a kid I always had people around me talking about soccer and living during the week waiting for the match on Sunday. I cannot believe that there will be a World Cup without Italy. There are teams like Brazil, Germany, France or Italy that should be always involved.
