- Jorginho missed from the penalty spot in the crucial qualifier for North Macedonia
- But teammate Federico Chiesa was ready to score moments later
- Southgate’s loyalty to his players is a problem and a weakness It all comes to the surface
Federico Chiesa saved Jorginho some embarrassment by scoring a stunning goal in Italy’s 5-2 win over North Macedonia just seconds after the Arsenal man was denied from the penalty spot.
Jorginho, who missed penalties in two games against Switzerland in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, meaning Italy missed out on a second World Cup in a row, was denied again on Friday evening in Rome.
The midfielder tried to penetrate the ball with his trademark penalty technique, but North Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski telegraphed the penalty and pushed it away to the left.
After a brief VAR check to ensure Dimitrievski stayed on his line when the penalty was taken, Italy had the ball back in play and earned a two-goal lead when Chiesa crossed the ball from the edge of the penalty area smashed in.
Former Manchester United player Matteo Darmian had given Luciano Spalletti’s side an early lead, and Chiesa struck again in first-half stoppage time to give Italy a commanding lead.
Jorginho failed to score from the penalty spot for Italy against North Macedonia on Friday evening
However, Federico Chiesa arrived just seconds too late to spare the Arsenal midfielder’s blushes
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A brace from Jani Atanasov dragged North Macedonia back into the match, but Giacomo Raspdadori and Stephan El Shaarawy found the net late on to seal the victory for the Italians.
The defeat ended North Macedonia’s hopes of automatic qualification for Euro 2024.
However, victory for Italy has put them in a strong position ahead of their final qualifier against Ukraine on Monday.
With both teams on thirteen points, Italy only need a draw in Leverkusen to qualify due to their superior head-to-head record against Ukraine.
Although if they do get a decisive penalty that night, it might not be Jorginho who gets the chance to take it.
