ROME — Many tragedies have befallen Italy in the last 60 years. Dozens of governments have collapsed. Earthquakes and terrorism have shaken cities. The French started adding cream to carbonara.
But the failure of the national soccer team on Monday night to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958 seems to be taking a place in the pantheon of Italian disasters.
“National shame,” the front-page headline of Il Messaggero lamented.
“Apocalypse,” read the front page of La Stampa.
“A historic gaffe,” the Corriere Della Sera chastised.