Italy lost their third World Cup in a row after losing on penalties against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final.

Ten-man Italy missed out on a third World Cup after losing their penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Having failed to reach Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, Italy are the first former champions to miss out on three consecutive World Cups.

Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali was the only player to score from the spot for the four-time winners as Bosnia and Herzegovina found the net with four of their penalties after capitalizing on Alessandro Bastoni’s first-half strike.

Gennaro Gattuso’s side were on the verge of going ahead when Moise Kean capitalized on a mistake from Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to score a 15th-minute opener.

But, after Bastoni was sent off in the 41st minute for a last-minute foul on Amar Memic, substitute Haris Tabakovic equalized in the 79th minute.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, who will play their second World Cup after their debut in 2014, will be in Group B along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.

Defeat for Italy ensures a World Cup absence of at least 16 years, with their last knockout game coming against France in the 2006 shootout win.

The Azzurri have failed to progress from the group stages in their last two matches and have not qualified since then.

The other World Cup that Italy did not qualify for was in 1958.

Gyokeres’ late win sends Potter’s Sweden to the World Cup

Viktor Gyokeres knocked Sweden out of this summer’s competition by claiming a late winner in a 3-2 win over Poland.

Goals from Nicola Zalewski and Karol Swiderski canceled out efforts from Anthony Elanga and Gustaf Lagerbielke as Poland twice came from behind in Stockholm.

But Arsenal striker Gyokeres leveled the game two minutes from time, firing into the roof of the net after Besfort Zeneli’s effort hit the right post.

Graham Potter’s side will be in Group F in North America, alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.

The Czech Republic qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 20 years after beating Denmark 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra time.

Rasmus Hojlund, Anders Dreyer and Mathias Jensen missed out for the Danes in Prague.

Pavel Sulc put the Czech Republic ahead before Joachim Andersen nodded to force another 30 minutes.

Ladislav Krejci’s deflected finish restored the home side’s lead, but Kasper Hogh’s header took the tie to a shootout.

The Czech Republic will play Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A.

Kosovo’s World Cup debut was dashed by a 1-0 defeat to Turkey.

Kerem Akturkoglu’s 53rd-minute goal was the difference for Pristina, as Turkey advanced to Group D, which features the United States, Paraguay and Australia.

DR Congo and Iraq are the two finalists to secure the World Cup

Democratic Republic of the Congo qualified for their first World Cup since 1974 after beating Jamaica 1-0 in their semi-final in Mexico on Tuesday.

The match went to extra time after ending goalless, although DR Congo midfielder Cedric Bakambu had two earlier attempts ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee, ahead of a Burnley defender. Axel Tuanzebe they finally got the 100th minute winner at Guadalajara Stadium.

As a result, DR Congo have progressed to this summer’s tournament, where they will face Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K.

And joining them in the United States will be like that Iraqwho became the 48th and final World Cup qualifier after beating Bolivia 2-1 in their qualifier on Tuesday.

Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein mean Graham Arnold’s side will take part in their first World Cup since 1986, joining the likes of France, Senegal and Norway in Group I.