How Italy missed the World Cup

For the first time since 1958, Italy won't be participating in the World Cup. Failing to beat Sweden in their qualifying playoff, the Azzurri were let down by Gian Piero Ventura and a player pool that's shallower than ever. Mark Ogden &#187
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-match/60/post/3269014/venturas-missteps-shallow-player-pool-responsible-for-italys-world-cup-woe

Trending: Gianluigi Buffon quits Italy following World Cup failure

Tuesday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending ...

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Source: http://www.espnfc.com/world-cup-qualifying/61/blog/post/3269192/trending-gianluigi-buffon-quits-italy-following-world-cup-failure

'The End' - Italy's 2018 World Cup playoff failure slammed by media

Italy's failure to reach a World Cup finals for the first time in 60 years was described as an "Apocalypse" by the nation's
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/world-cup-qualifying-uefa/67/blog/post/3269201/the-end-italys-2018-world-cup-playoff-failure-slammed-by-media

Transfer Rater: Mesut Ozil to Atletico Madrid, Richarlison to Tottenham

Things change in the blink of an eye in football. <a
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/blog/soccer-usa/3/post/3269262/transfer-rater-mesut-ozil-to-atletico-madrid-and-richarlison-to-tottenham

Italy to miss World Cup for first time since 1958 as Sweden qualify

Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958, as Sweden secured their spot in Russia after the teams' 0-0 draw on Monday in
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/report?gameId=497787

Gianluigi Buffon remains positive after Italy's failure to reach World Cup

Italy's legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon struggled to fight back tears but remained positive about the future as he tried to come to terms with
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/italy/story/3268935/gianluigi-buffon-remains-positive-after-italys-failure-to-reach-world-cup

Daniele De Rossi, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli retire from Italy duty

Daniele De Rossi, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli all said they would retire from international duty after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/italy/story/3269018/daniele-de-rossi-giorgio-chiellini-and-andrea-barzagli-all-retire-from-italy-duty

Andersson rules out talk of Ibrahimovic coming out of international retirement

Sweden boss Janne Andersson dismissed talk of a possible international return for retired striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic after his side's
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/sweden/story/3269071/andersson-rules-out-talk-of-ibrahimovic-coming-out-of-international-retirement

Gabriel Jesus has become Brazil's 'new Ronaldo' - captain Dani Alves

Brazil captain Dani Alves has hailed Gabriel Jesus as the side's "new Ronaldo" as they prepare for Tuesday's friendly with
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/brazil/story/3269227/gabriel-jesus-has-become-brazils-new-ronaldo-captain-dani-alves

James Rodriguez returns to Bayern training after leaving Colombia camp

James Rodriguez is back in training at Bayern Munich after returning early from international duty with Colombia.
Bayern coach Jupp
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/bayern-munich/story/3269250/james-rodriguez-returns-to-bayern-training-after-leaving-colombia-camp

Torino president held talks with Real Madrid over Andrea Belotti

Torino president Urbano Cairo has revealed that he discussed Andrea Belotti with his Real Madrid counterpart Florentino Perez, who appeared
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/story/3269261/torino-president-held-talks-with-real-madrid-over-andrea-belotti

Gabriel Batistuta: Lionel Messi taking my Argentina record annoyed me

Gabriel Batistuta says Lionel Messi surpassing his Argentina goal-scoring record annoyed him but told <a
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/argentina/story/3268110/gabriel-batistuta-lionel-messi-taking-my-argentina-record-annoyed-me

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema: I lost respect for Mourinho after cat jibe

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has told Canal +
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/real-madrid/story/3268533/real-madrids-karim-benzema-i-lost-respect-for-mourinho-after-cat-jibe

Phoenix Rising's Didier Drogba set to retire from playing next year

Didier Drogba will finally hang up his boots in 2018 as he prepares
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/phoenix-rising-fc/story/3269244/phoenix-risings-didier-drogba-set-to-retire-from-playing-next-year

Reliving Zlatan Ibrahimovic's wonder goal against England five years later

Remember where you were five years ago when you saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic score THIS goal against England?

With 12 minutes remaining of a friendly against Sweden in Stockholm, five years ago this week, England were 2-1 up and playing pretty well. Considering this was a fairly experimental team, with Roy Hodgson giving debuts to six different players, and they were still getting over the relative chaos left by Euro 2012 and its build-up, it was looking like a decent evening for England. Then Zlatan Ibrahimovic happened.

There were plenty of other reasons to make this friendly notable: it was Steven...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/3268580/reliving-zlatan-ibrahimovics-wonder-goal-against-england-five-years-later

LISTEN: Breaking down Italy's woes

Source: http://www.espn.com/espnradio/play?id=21404597

Arsenal set to benefit from fitness boost ahead of derby vs. Spurs

With criticism coming from all directions, Arsenal's Mesut Ozil may be the epitome of a polarizing player.

        Shaka Hislop questions why Alexandre Lacazette has been sitting on the bench when he feels he clearly improves Arsenal.

With Arsenal's infamously fragile squad, the international break is always a nerve-wracking period for Gunners fans. Supporters scour the headlines, desperately hoping their key players return to London unscathed. This week, there will be more prayers said and fingers crossed than usual because, when the Premier League resumes at the weekend, Arsenal face a hugely important fixture against rivals Tottenham.
Thus far, though, the indications are that any fears may have been misplaced. Arsenal are...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/arsenal/359/blog/post/3269257/arsenal-set-to-benefit-from-fitness-boost-ahead-of-derby-vs-spurs

Zlatan celebrates Sweden's qualification for 2018 World Cup

As you might have heard, Sweden battled their way to the 2018 World Cup at the expense of Italy after hammering out a 0-0 draw in the second leg of their playoff.
Unsurprisingly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic found himself centre stage after the match despite not playing any part in the qualification campaign, largely because he retired from international football over a year ago.
Still, the veteran striker injected himself into the celebrations by posting a photo of the victorious Swedish team on social media,...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3269255/zlatan-celebrates-sweden-qualification-for-2018-world-cup

Australia to take game to Honduras

Jason Dasey and Gary Phillips preview Australia's second leg against Honduras in the World Cup playoffs.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/world-cup-qualifying-afc/62/video/3269253/australia-to-take-game-to-honduras

England set for Netherlands, Italy friendlies in March ahead of World Cup

Gareth Southgate insists he's open to throwing Dominic Solanke, Lewis Cook and Angus Gunn into the mix against Brazil.

        Dominic Solanke admits he was surprised to receive a call-up to the England national team for the first time. 
            
        England manager Gareth Southgate reveals Phil Jones was fine after he was taken off due to injury and applauded his side's tactical performance against Germany. 
            
        Gareth Southgate says England will be forced into looking at the U21 side in order to fill gaps in the senior team left by injuries.

England will play Netherlands and Italy in March as part of their preparations for next summer's World Cup, the Football Association has confirmed.
Gareth Southgate's squad will travel to the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on March 23 before hosting Italy at Wembley on March 27.
Neither nation qualified for the World Cup after Netherlands finished third in their group behind France and Sweden, and Italy were beaten by the latter in a two-legged playoff, losing 1-0 on aggregate after Monday's 0-0...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/england/story/3269251/england-set-for-netherlands-italy-friendlies-in-march-ahead-of-world-cup

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