Can Italy avoid a World Cup catastrophe after missing 2018?

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Italy Faces Potential World Cup Catastrophe Amidst Play-Off Challenges

Italy's prospects of reaching the World Cup are precarious, with the reigning European champions facing a challenging play-off path that could result in missing the tournament for a second consecutive time. A failure to qualify would represent a significant setback, especially following their triumph at Euro 2020 and a record-breaking unbeaten run. The team's recent form, marked by several draws in their final World Cup qualifiers, led them to finish second in their group behind Switzerland, necessitating these play-offs.
Path to the Finals is Highly Competitive

The current play-off structure means that Italy must navigate one-off semi-final and final matches to secure their spot. Their immediate challenge is against North Macedonia in Palermo. Should they advance, they could face Portugal in a high-stakes final. This format, common in European World Cup qualifying, intensifies the pressure on teams, as a single loss eliminates them from contention. Only three European berths remain available, with Russia excluded and other matches, like Ukraine versus Scotland, postponed to June.
North Macedonia Poses a Significant Threat

Despite Italy's pedigree, North Macedonia has demonstrated its capability to challenge established teams. They notably defeated Germany away during the recent qualifying campaign and participated in Euro 2020. Furthermore, North Macedonia secured a draw against Italy in Turin in the qualifying phase for the last World Cup. This history suggests that Italy cannot afford to underestimate their opponent, who are motivated to reach their first World Cup since gaining independence in 1991.
Portugal's Own Play-Off Hurdles

Italy's potential final opponents, Portugal, also face their own set of challenges. Led by Cristiano Ronaldo, who is likely in his final bid to win the World Cup at age 41, Portugal must first overcome Turkey in Porto. Their task is complicated by the unavailability of key central defenders Ruben Dias and Pepe. Ranked eighth in the world, Portugal, like Italy, carries the immense expectation of qualifying for the global tournament, especially given Ronaldo's stature as the all-time leading international goal scorer.

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Can Italy avoid a World Cup catastrophe after missing 2018?

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