Italy fails to qualify for World Cup after draw with Sweden

Looks like England are now in the main role of putting crowds to sleep in Russia.

Gotta feel sorry for Buffon, would have been his 6th WC. As for Italy not qualifying, we've all been there, no need to put the boot in. I still think Europe's WC qualifiers are too difficult in comparison to other regions.

This makes U.S. failure look like small potatoes. But I wish young American athletes in all sports could see how Gigi Buffon publicly handled this disappointment -- with grace and dignity. He's a giant of his profession, and loves his country, and this was his last game.

No sympathy from me - famous throughout the footballing world as divers & cheaters

Goldorak,

In fact, many people have complained that European teams have it too easy in qualifying.

This is due to the recent splintering of some major soccer nations into smaller ones - ie. Czechoslovakia, USSR & Yugoslavia

@tooheysnew

I'm guessing from your handle you are an Aussie. I know many Aussies have been waiting for some karma for what happened in 2006.

Just as an aside, I watched and loved Tim Cahill at Everton - a player not unfamiliar with the darker arts...

In fact, many people have complained that European teams have it too easy in qualifying.

Perhaps ppl who don't know much about football and/or fear euro teams? Perso I have never met anyone who told me euros have it easy, not once and I have been living outside Europe for 20 odd years.

It's imo much easier to make the top 4-5 in Asia, Africa and concacaf (and qualify to a wc) than to make the top 13 in Europe. As an aussie would you rather play Honduras tmrw night or Croatia, Italy, Sweden, Denmark etc?

South America is also a tough one but pretty much 50% go through so it's a bit different and so is Oceania (let's not kid ourselves, that's why oz joined asia, much easier to be top 4/5 in asia than play 5th south American or 4th central am). I reckon teams like Italy or the Netherlands would have qualified directly if they were on other continents.

@Goldorak

Yes. The example of Yugoslavia was given. In my opinion, Serbia, Croatia or Bosnia would have topped either of the Asian groups and you could argue Slovenia, Montenegro are Macedonia are as good as any sides in Asia at the moment.

It’s sad to say Asian football has gone backwards. I think I’m right in saying no Asian team progressed past the group stage in Brazil 2014. I’d put money on a repeat of that. Elsewhere, Algeria and Costa Rica were the only really bright sparks outside of Europe and South America in the last World Cup if memory serves.

Mexico, Costa Rica, Egypt and Nigeria could be interesting to watch in Russia.

@jimizo

hehe, good deduction.

i had my bags packed & my wife's permission to go to Germany, IF Australia beat Italy.

That blatant dive & subsequent PK cost me a trip of a lifetime

That blatant dive & subsequent PK cost me a trip of a lifetime

Was a shocker. Anyway, best of luck against Honduras.

If Cahill’s fit, get him on that pitch.

I think Cahill will start. I watched the first leg and the aussies played their best game i have seen in years but juric missed a couple of sitters.

Agree re asian football, been stagnating for a while now. As an aside, hope the swedes don't recall Ibra. Would be unfair to the lads who qualified.

First, Ferrari (Vettel) misses out on the WDC. Now the Azzurri fail to qualify for the World Cup. Not a good year for Italian sports.