Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout, and the decisive goal came from a familiar name in New England soccer circles.
Esmir Bajraktarević, a 21-year-old Wisconsin native and former New England Revolution homegrown player, scored the match-winning goal to send Bosnia and Herzegovina to the FIFA World Cup.
The loss stunned Italian fans in Boston.
“A tear is coming out of my eye. I’m so sad about it,” said business owner Frank DePasquale. “We’re not in the World Cup this year, and it’s just a sad thing because Italy … the World Cup is Italy.”
With seven matches being played at Gillette Stadium, Cambridge is among the Massachusetts communities receiving state funds to host World Cup-related events.
Others struggled to process the outcome.
“You know, as they say, you add insult to injury,” said Franco Contino of Boston’s North End.
He wishes to see serious reform from the top of Italian soccer leadership.
“This is really not tolerable as a fan,” he said.
Bajraktarević, the son of Bosnian refugees, built his career in New England as a teenager after being recruited by the Revs. Coaches and teammates said his mindset set him apart early.
“Obviously, everyone saw his talent, but I think his personality, he was so determined,” said veteran defender Andrew Farrell. “I think his self-belief is something that he’s had since he was very young, and it just showed it in the biggest moments he stepped up and delivered.”
Massachusetts officials viewed Thursday’s match as a stress test for public transportation and safety ahead of the World Cup.
Players who shared the field with him said that mentality never changed.
“He just has no fear, in the best way possible,” said forward Malcolm Fry, a native of Groton, Massachusetts.
Bajraktarević’s development with the Revolution included guidance from Italian performance coach Federico Pizzuto, who described the moment as complicated.
“[It’s] bittersweet. It’s a weird feeling because I always cheer for the guys that I worked with, and I helped to grow, but at the same time, it was Italy. It’s my country,” said the team’s director of sports performance.
Massachusetts is getting its first taste of international soccer with a friendly match ahead of the World Cup.
Pizzuto said he focused on instilling professionalism and discipline during Bajraktarević’s early years.
“I tried to show him the way of how it is to be professional, how you need to behave, how hard you need to work, your work ethic, the intensity that you need to put in everything that you do,” he said.
Now playing for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Bajraktarević will represent Bosnia and Herzegovina on the world stage.
“I was happy to see Bosnia go through, especially with Esmir,” said Fry. “I’m so excited. I think that people, the average American who’s not super into soccer, has no idea what’s coming this summer.”
For those who helped shape his path, the moment carried pride.
“It’s amazing,” said Pizzuto. “It makes me proud.”