Coincidence or superstition? It doesn't matter. The interesting thing is that every time Italy gets eliminated from a World Cup, luck smiles on Real Madrid.
Italy makes news again for a fiasco that leaves its football very wounded. The defeat to Bosnia in the penalty shootout leaves Calcio very weakened. A historic national team missing a World Cup is never good news. However, for the most superstitious Madridistas, this could be a reason for hope for this current season.
For those who think that coincidences do not exist, Italy's elimination is synonymous with joy. And even more so for Real Madrid fans. The 'Azzurra' will miss three consecutive World Cups, but the news for Spanish football is not that, but rather what happens in the Champions League when the four-time champion is not at the great World Cup event.
Year 1958, when the Champions League was still called the European Cup, but with a destiny already written. After not being in Uruguay 1930, Italy missed its second World Cup by finishing behind Northern Ireland in European Group 8. That same season, Real Madrid won its third consecutive European Cup. The 3-2 victory against Milan crowned Los Blancos in a championship in which Di Stefano shone.
In 2017, Italy played for a place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia against Sweden. Gian Piero Ventura's men started as favorites, but football did not smile on them, and they were eliminated from the World Cup 60 years after the last time.
That same season, Real Madrid faced the major challenge of doing something that no one had ever achieved in the Champions League era: three consecutive titles. Led by Zinedine Zidane, Los Blancos reached the final and won the title in a historic match against Liverpool.
Year 2022, same situation. The Italian team played for its presence in Qatar. A single match against North Macedonia in the playoffs. Mancini's men, again, with the clear role of favorites. However, another surprise, and a very harsh one. In the 91st minute, Trajkovski broke the heart of an entire country.
His goal left the 'Azzurra' without aspirations, adding their second consecutive World Cup absence. At the same time, Ancelotti led the team to the Champions League final, in a season marked by incredible comebacks at the Bernabeu. Vinicius' solitary goal allowed Madrid to lift their 14th title.
In the year 2026, history repeats itself. Gennaro Gattuso's men seek to seal their pass to the United States, Mexico, and Canada in the playoffs. This time against Bosnia, a rival that, according to what was seen, they preferred over Wales.
However, destiny delivered the same outcome as the previous qualifiers. The penalty shootout lottery left the Italians without a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. For their part, Madrid is in the Champions League quarterfinals, on the path to their 16th title?
Although everything is a mere coincidence, or not, depending on how superstitious you are, Real Madrid has it complicated. On their side of the bracket are the most powerful clubs in Europe in recent years. After leaving City behind, Arbeloa's men will have to face a Bayern Munich that is always a tough nut to crack. Kompany's men arrive in great form, although possibly without Harry Kane, their big star.
Beyond the Germans, PSG or Liverpool would await Los Blancos in a hypothetical semifinal. The current European champion or the current English champion, almost nothing. However, this is the Champions League, and Madrid is unpredictable in their favorite competition.
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