bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Associated Press

Four-time champions Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years after losing their play-off to Sweden 1-0 on aggregate after both sides played out a goalless draw in a quiet San Siro on Monday.
It could have been worse for Italy, as Sweden were denied what looked like two clear-cut penalties for handballs, first from Matteo Darmian and then from Andrea Barzagli.

Italy had a penalty appeal of their own waved off by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz when Marco Parolo was tripped from behind by Ludwig Augsustinsson.
But the Azzurri struggled to carve out clear chances against a solid Sweden side, and really tested goalkeeper Robin Olsen only once.

The last major competitions Italy missed were the 1984 and 1992 European Championships. They have taken part in every World Cup since failing to qualify for the 1958 tournament.
World Cup heartbreak for Northern Ireland as Switzerland book spot in Russia with play-off win
It would be easy to lay the blame squarely on Gian Piero Ventura. The Italy coach will naturally take the lion’s share but the Azzurri’s problems run much deeper.
The rot started long before Ventura took charge.

After winning the World Cup in 2006 for a fourth time, Italy went out at the group stage of the next two editions. They have fared somewhat better at the European Championships, reaching the final in 2012 and going out in the quarter-finals in 2008 and 2016.
However, Antonio Conte’s Italy side overachieved in France last year, when they surprisingly beat Spain in the round of 16 before losing on penalties to world champions Germany.


The World Cup: How did fans celebrate their victories in the round of 16 

Italy Gian Piero Ventura after failing to reach World Cup following play-off loss to Sweden

Christian Eriksen one of top 10 players in the world says coach as Denmark crush Ireland to book World Cup spot

Sweden a long-time jinx to Italy when it comes to foiling their hopes at major tournaments

2018 Fifa World Cup European qualifying

Italy fail to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years after goalless draw with Sweden

Sweden players celebrate at the end of the World Cup qualifying play-off second leg match after they knocked the Italians out of the World Cup. Photo: AP

Sweden's midfielder Sebastian Larsson celebrates at the end of the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Italy and Sweden, on November 13, 2017 at the San Siro stadium in 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. / AFP PHOTO / Miguel MEDINA

Italian team supporters watch the World Cup qualifying play-off second leg soccer match between Italy and Sweden, in a pub in downtown Rome, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)

Italy's Andrea Belotti reacts after a missed chance during the World Cup qualifying play-off second leg soccer match between Italy and Sweden, at the Milan San Siro stadium, Italy, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italy fail to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years after goalless draw with Sweden

Four-time champions fail to score a goal in play-off against Sweden