North Macedonia's shock win over Italy sparks wild celebrations

North Macedonia's shock 1-0 win over Italy sparked wild scenes in the visitor's dressing room in Palermo and on the streets of the capital city Skopje.

Aleksandar Trajkovski, who plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Fayha, wrote his name into North Macedonian folklore with a shot that crept inside the post in stoppage time on Thursday night.

European champions Italy had 32 efforts at goal in the match, but somehow fell short, with North Macedonia going on to play Portugal in the playoff final next week for a place in the Qatar World Cup which will not involve Italy once more.

North Macedonia coach Blagoja Milevski could see the irony of their last-gasp victory.

'We won Italian style against the Italians, a goal with two shots on target,' he said.

'I'm very happy for this victory, I'm proud for these guys.'

Italy did not qualify for the World Cup four years ago, their first failure to reach soccer's global showpiece tournament since 1958, but they dominated from the off in Palermo and looked on course for victory.

Without veteran pairing Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini through injury, Italy's makeshift defence was barely troubled in the first half, as all the action took place down the other end.

Domenico Berardi had the best of the openings having been presented with the ball after North Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski misplaced a pass, but the Sassuolo forward's shot was tame, with Dimitrievski getting back to make the save.

Ciro Immobile also wasted a glorious first-half chance for Italy when blazing over the bar from a good position.

Berardi was again guilty of profligacy after the break, shooting over when he should have hit the target.

As the match wore on, Italy nerves kicked in and their finishing became more erratic. Mancini shuffled his pack, giving Cagliari striker Joao Pedro his debut, but with their only meaningful attack of the match, North Macedonia seized their chance.

The hosts became more desperate in their search for a winner after the break as chances continued to come and go before, in stoppage time, Trajkovski arrowed in a stunning winner to spark wild North Macedonian celebrations.