Italy lost in the playoff to Bosnia, 4-1 in penalties, after a 1-1 draw. The defeat marks their third consecutive failure to qualify, a national disappointment for the soccer-mad country. Fans are heartbroken, questioning the current state of the team and its future prospects.
'Everything went badly from the start,' said Davide Caldaretta, a shocked observer.
Italy's last appearance was in 2014, coinciding with Bosnia's sole previous entry. The 'Azzurri' faced adversity early, going down to 10 men due to Alessandro Bastoni's dismissal.
'Upset and disappointed,' expressed Melanie Cardillo, echoing sentiments across the nation.