Moment Jorginho misses ANOTHER penalty for Italy only for Federico Chiesa to spare his blushes 71 seconds later… as they thrash North Macedonia to move to the brink of Euro 2024 qualification

Federico Chiesa spared Jorginho some embarrassment by scoring with a stunning strike in Italy’s 5-2 win against North Macedonia just seconds after the Arsenal man had been denied from the penalty spot.

Jorginho, who missed penalties in two games against Switzerland in qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar that meant Italy missed out on a second successive World Cup, was denied again in Rome on Friday night. 

The midfielder tried to slot home using his trademark penalty technique but North Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski telegraphed the spot-kick and pushed it away to his left. 

After a momentary VAR check to ensure Dimitrievski has stayed on his line as the penalty was taken, Italy had the ball back in play and earned themselves a two-goal lead as Chiesa smashed home from the edge of the box.

Former Manchester United man Matteo Darmian had given Luciano Spalletti’s side an early lead, and Chiesa struck again in first-half injury-time to give Italy a commanding advantage. 

However, Federico Chiesa was on hand to spare the Arsenal midfielder’s blushes just seconds late

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A brace from Jani Atanasov dragged North Macedonia back into the game but Giacomo Raspdadori and Stephan El Shaarawy found the net late on to ensure 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 winner-takes-all final qualifier against Ukraine on Monday. 

With both teams locked on 13 points, Italy only need a draw in Leverkusen to ensure qualification due to their superior head-to-head record against Ukraine. 

Although if they do earn themselves a decisive penalty on the night, it may not be Jorginho who is given the chance to take it.