Serial World Cup winners crash out in play-off hell on night of glory for Celtic and Rangers men

Rino Gattuso’s side drew 1-1 in Zenica after playing much of the match with ten men following Alessandro Bastoni’s 41st-minute red card. Moise Kean gave them an early lead but with an extra man advantage, Bosnia pushed for an equaliser and got it through Haris Tabakovic on 79 minutes.

After extra time, Bosnia won 4-1 on penalties and will be placed in Group B with co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.

It is the third time in a row that Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Denmark, who were beaten to top spot by Scotland in the qualifiers, will also not be at the World Cup after they lost 3-1 on penalties to Czechia following a 2-2 draw in Prague.

The Czechs raced into an early lead through Pavel Sulc, but Joakim Andersen forced extra time. Ladislas Krejci scored for the second game in a row in extra time for Czechia, but Kasper Hogh equalised with eight minutes to go and a penalty shoot-out ensued. Napoli’s on-loan Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund was among those to miss for Denmark.

Czechia are placed in Group A with co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.

An 88th-minute goal by Viktor Gyokeres sent Sweden to the World Cup on a dramatic night in Solna as Graham Potter’s men edged out Poland 3-2.

Celtic forward Benjamin Nygren started for Sweden and set up a former Parkhead player when his cross was converted by defender Gustav Lagerbielke. There was also a goal from Anthony Elanga and while Nicola Zalewski and Karol Swiderski netted for Poland, Arsenal hitman Gyokeres struck late.

Sweden go into Group F alongside Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.

Turkey also made it to the World Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over Kosovo. Kerem Akturkoglu was the Turkish hero in Pristina when he netted eight minutes into the second half to deny the Kosovans a maiden appearance in the tournament.

Turkey are in Group D alongside co-hosts USA, Paraguay and Australia.

Scotland’s World Cup opponents Haiti continued their preparations with a 1-1 draw against Iceland at BMO Field in Toronto. Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor - who switched his allegiances during this international window - scored an 88th-minute leveller.

Meanwhile, Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez marked his first start for Nigeria by netting in a 2-2 draw against Jordan in Antalya, Turkey. It was the in-form centre-half’s second cap for the Super Eagles.

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