No World Cup for Italy and this is how Facebook reacted

On paper it should not have been difficult to overturn a single goal deficit against a below-par Sweden side but despite having 75% of ball possession, Italy failed to score.

For the first time since 1958, Italy will not be playing at the World Cup that will take place in Russia next year.

The constant pressure on the Swedish goal and Ciro Immobile's fancy footwork and agility were not enough to break the deadlock as Italy lacked imagination up front.

And while football experts will be analysing the result with a fine toothed comb, the verdict on Facebook was one of indignation at the Italian coach's failure to play Napoli striker Lorenzo Insigne.

Insigne's absence was missed

A more succint analysis came from Transport Malta's executive chairman James Piscopo.

How Italy got it all wrong

While from Strasbourg Malta-EU envoy Cyrus Engerer reported on his Dutch friend's consolation that his home country was not alone in missing out on the World Cup.

The Dutch or not alone

Others felt the need to make the historical point that after 60 years Italy will not be present at the World Cup finals, a feat few would have thought possible.

The World Cup will not be the same

And inevitably, there were the ones who may have not missed Italy's exit but felt sorry for veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who would have closed his international career at next year's World Cup. As it happened, tonight's game is possibly Buffon's last for the national team.

Pity the veteran goalkeeper will not close his career at the World Cup

Yet some other Italy sympathisers tried to find the lighter side of things.

A stress-free World Cup for some