Italy crashed out of World Cup qualification last night with a 1-0 to defeat to North Macedonia in their World Cup qualifier in Palermo. The result - sealed with a 92nd minute winner - is shocking. Just six months ago, this Italian team under Roberto Mancini powered to a famous Euro 2020 victory. This winter, they'll be watching the World Cup from the comfort of their homes like the rest of us.
The result has given some football observers an opportunity to take pause and reflect on recent events in football. Former German international and current RTÉ pundit Didi Hamann has been asking what Italy's defeat says about the team that Italy beat in the Euro 2020 final.
England - who hosted the final and played the majority of the tournament on home soil - infamously lost the final to Italy in penalties after going up 1-0 in the first 10 minutes of the game.
The performance of Gareth Southgate's men this past summer won countless plaudits in the English media, but Hamann wondered on Twitter today if Italy's defeat to North Macedonia casts a shadow on England's achievement on reaching the final of a major tournament.
He wrote:
"After seeing what happened to Italy last night I wonder whether last years runner up spot is still deemed a success for England. Golden opportunity missed but still OBE‘s given out like smarties"
After seeing what happened to Italy last night I wonder whether last years runner up spot is still deemed a success for England. Golden opportunity missed but still OBE‘s given out like smarties
— Didi Hamann (@DietmarHamann) March 25, 2022
It's an intriguing question. Reaching the final of a major international tournament is no mean feat. But it is true that England had a favourable route to the Euro 2020 final. They beat Germany in the Round of 16 and Denmark in the semifinal at Wembley. They had to overturn Ukraine in the quarterfinal in Rome. Compare that to Italy's route to the final: Belgium in the quarters and Spain in the semifinal.
Whatever about his criticisms of Italy, we do think Hamann - who was one of the more vocal critics of the England team - is a being a tad harsh on Italy however. The Azzurri went two years unbeaten before losing to Spain last October. Last night Italy were without their Euros talisman Federico Chiesa as well as their inspirational centre-back partnership of Bonucci and Chielini.
We do appreciate Hamann for starting this debate. All of the time he has spent in Ireland over the years seem to be proving worthwhile.
SEE ALSO: North Macedonia Shock Italy With 92nd Minute Winner In Palermo
