Berlin, 1 April 2026 (dpa/MIA) - Ten-man Italy lost 4-1 on penalties in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday as the four-time champions missed going to the World Cup for a third straight time.

Moise Kean put the Azzurri 1-0 up in the 15th minute of the play-off final in Zenica after a big mistake from Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.

Italy had Alessandro Bastoni sent off for a last-man foul shortly before half-time and Bosnia got a 79th-minute equalizer from Haris Tabaković, and with the score stil 1-1 after extra time the game went to penalties.

There only Sandro Tonali netted as Pio Esposito fired over and Bryan Cristante's effort came back from the underside of the bar. The Bosnians all converted, with Esmir Bajraktarević wrapping up matters.

Italy have won the World Cup four times, but have now missed three editions in a row, having also failed to get through play-offs in 2018 and 2022.

"I feel really bad for all of Italy," defender Leonardo Spinazzola told RAI Sport. "It’s just so enormously disappointing for us, for our families, for all the Italian children who won’t see Italy at a World Cup [again],"

Bosnia are back at the World Cup for first time since 2014, the last time Italy played at the global stage, and are joinmed there by the Czech Republic, Sweden and Turkey also qualified on Tuesday.

The Czechs needed penalties to beat Denmark 3-1 from the spot after a 2-2 deadlock to return after 20 years, Turkey prevailed 1-0 in Kosovo to be back after 24 years, and Sweden claimed a late 3-2 victory over Poland.

Another Italy nightmare

In Zenica, Bosnia's Ermedin Demirović had an early shot saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma but it was Italy who drew first blood in the 15th when Vasilj played the ball right to Italy's Nicolo Barella who found Fiorentina's Keane to fire in the right corner.

But Italy were in trouble when Bastoni got a straight red in the 41st for felling Amar Memić with a laat-man foul.

The Azzurri defended deep after the break but Kean should have soothed their nerves, only to fire just over alone in fromt of Vasilj on a rare counter attack.

The equalizer came in the 79th from Tabaković, who poked home on the rebound of Donnarumma's huge save against a header from veteran striker Edin Džeko.

Benjamin Tahirović missed a final chance in extra time for the hosts which set up the shoot-out which the Bosnians won like the semi-final in Wales last week and broke Italian hearts again.

“It really hurts, but we must accept it. I am proud of them. I can only thank them (the players), as it had been years since I’d seen the Nazionale play with such heart," coach Gennaro Gattuso told Sky Italia.

Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez said he told his players to "go out and enjoy themselves".

"I saw it in their eyes – I really like them, they're guys with character. We have guys we're proud of; we're two years ahead of schedule."

Bosnia will play Canada, Qatar, Switzerland in Group B at the June 11-July 19 tournament.

Czechs back after two decades

The Czechs had a dream start in Prague when Pavel Šulc volleyed into the top corner from the edge of the area after the Danes did not clear a corner kick well.

Denmark were level in the 72nd minute to get level from Joachim Andersen's header, captain Ladislav Krejčí restored the lead in extra time but Denmark hit back again from a stunning header by substitute Kasper Høgh who found the right corner with his back towards goal.

In the shoot-out, Rasmus Højlund hit the crossbar, Mathias Jensen shot high and Anders Dreyer's effort was saved vy Matěj Kovář as Michal Sadílek sent the hosts through into World Cup Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.

Turkey too strong for Kosovo

Bidding for a first-ever World Cup participation, Kosovo came close shortly before the half-hour mark but Turkey goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır pushed a long range ball from Fisnik Asllani against the crossbar.

Turkey opened the scoring in the 53rd from Kerem Aktürkoğlu who put the finishing touch on an attempt from Orkun Kökçü. It turned out the winner and sent Turkey back to the World Cup for the first time since 2002 when they were surprise semi-finalists.

Turkey will be in Group C together with the US, Australia and Paraguay.

Sweden get late win

Sweden had failed to register a win in their six regular qualifying matches but reached the play-offs by virtue of their Nations League results, brought in a new coach in Graham Potter and won 3-1 against Ukraine last week to set up the duel with Poland in a rematch of their 2022 duel Poland had won.

The hosts led twice in Solna, from Anthony Elanga and Gustav Lagerbielke but Poland hit back on each occasion, from Nikola Zalewski and Karol Świderski.

However, with extra-time looming, Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres smashed into the roof of the net after Lucas Bergvall had a shot saved and Besfort Zeneli hit the post.

That ended the hopes of Poland great Robert Lewandowski to play at another World Cup, with Sweden going instead and joining Group F with the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.

"Unbelievable night. Wow, just to be part of that is an incredible honour, and incredible experience. I’m just so pleased for the team," Briton Potter told Sveriges Radio.

Photo: EPA