The scene seemed right to keep Italy in the run for a World Cup spot. The Azzurri side dominated ball possession for most of the game and even came close to scoring the opener, but it all came down to Aleksandar Trajkovski's accuracy in front of goal to end Italy's hopes of returning to a FIFA World Cup.

The Azzurri side entered this game as a massive favorite, especially due to their unbeaten record in Italy that included 48 wins and eleven draws. Now, their first loss at home will be remembered as one of the major upsets in football history, while also making a dent on Italy's successful history in the world of football.

After 90 minutes of playing time, the game between Italy and North Macedonia seemed destined to reach extra time. The Italian side wasted many chances in front of goal, especially one from Domenico Berardi that will come back to haunt the Sassuolo man for as long as he plays professional football. Then, when everyone was getting ready for thirty more minutes of football, Aleksandar Trajkovski controlled a ball in the final third of the pitch and drilled a right-footed shot into the lower right-hand corner of Gigi Donnarumma's net to kick off all celebrations for the Macedonian side.

That goal represented Trajkovski's 20th international success with his national team, but it also handed Italy a devastating blow, leaving them out of back-to-back World Cups for the first time in history. 

Have a look at Aleksandar Trajkovski's golazo against the 2020 UEFA Euro champions (Image might be geo-restricted).

NORTH MACEDONIA!!! ONE OF THE GREAT UPSETS OF ALL TIME

AS IT STANDS, ITALY ARE OUT OF THE WORLD CUP! pic.twitter.com/DBRBcUhZC5

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 24, 2022