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Italy 'destroyed' by failure to qualify for World Cup, says Chiellini

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March 24, 2022 Italy's Giorgio Chiellini and teammates look dejected after the match as North Macedonia players celebrate REUTERS

European champions Italy were "destroyed and crushed" after missing out on the World Cup finals again following a 1-0 defeat at home by North Macedonia in Thursday's playoff semi-final, defender Giorgio Chiellini said.

Italy did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the first time they failed to reach soccer's global showpiece since 1958, and will miss Qatar after Aleksandar Trajkovski's last-gasp strike earned North Macedonia a famous win.

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