SORROWFUL : North Macedonia has knocked Italy out of the World Cup, eight months before the championships begin.

  

North Macedonia has knocked Italy out of the World Cup, eight months before the championships begin.

Italy would have anticipated to cruise through North Macedonia in the semi-final in their play-off 'route,' setting up a final eliminator against Portugal.

Despite controlling the game for the majority of the time, Italy was unable to get past their opponents for 90 minutes, and then came the sucker punch.

Aleksandar Trajkovski's 92nd-minute goal eliminated Roberto Mancini's side from qualification and qualified Macedonia for next week's match against Portugal.