MILAN – Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for
the first time in 60 years after being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Sweden, who booked a place at next year’s
tournament in Russia
with a 1-0 aggregate win on Monday.
The Swedes survived wave after wave of Italian attacks in
the second leg of their European playoff tie on a night of unremitting tension
and drama at a disbelieving San Siro.
Four-times champions Italy, who had not missed the World Cup
since the 1958 finals in Sweden, penned the visitors into their own half for
most of the game, and created a hatful of chances, but could not find a way
past Robin Olsen in the Sweden goal.
The hosts, who enjoyed 75 percent of possession, had shots
cleared off the line, others stopped by Olsen and penalty appeals turned down
as they pressed desperately for a goal.
“We had no weapons left. We just had to sit there and hope
that we could hang on,” said Sweden
coach Jan Andersson. “We couldn’t do it in any other way, they are so skilful.”
The closest Italy came to scoring was a Ciro Immobile effort,
which was partially stopped by Olsen and cleared away by Victor Lindelof as it
was about to trickle over the line.
Italy’s
players collapsed on to the pitch in despair as the final whistle went, and
even veterans such as Giorgio Chiellini were inconsolable.
The crowd’s support during the game quickly turned to
hostility as boos rang around the stadium.
With this result, 39-year-old Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also announced his retirement from international football in his 175th match.