Player ratings: Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy (4-1 pens) – Kean not enough

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Player ratings: Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy (4-1 pens) – Kean not enough

Moise Kean’s first-half strike was not enough as the 10-man Italy crashed out of the World Cup play-offs for the third tournament cycle in a row after a penalty shoot-out defeat away against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tuesday’s final.

Here are the player ratings after a miserable evening in Zenica for Gennaro Gattuso and his Italy squad.

Click here to see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

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Bosnia 1-1 Italy (4-1 pens): Player ratings​

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ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Players of Italy sing the national anthem prior the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

Donnarumma 5.5 – It was his poor goal-kick that caused the passage of play that led to Bastoni being sent off just before half-time. Still made some very important second-half saves. Unable to save any in the shoot-out.

Mancini 5.5 – It had been a relatively assured defensive performance from the Roma defender, but he did miss a header at the back post in the move that led to Bosnia’s equaliser.

Bastoni 3 – It had to be him, didn’t it? Sent off just before half-time for a last-ditch challenge on Amar Memic, which set his teammates up for an incredibly uncomfortable second half with just 10 men. A disastrous two months for him on an individual level.

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ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: The referee Clèment Turpin shows the red card to Alessandro Bastoni of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

Calafiori 6 – Like all of Italy’s defenders, his second half was mostly spent inside or right on the edge of the Italy penalty area. An exercise in protecting the box for the most part. Not a game for his marauding runs forwards.

Politano 5 – Not a particularly influential first-half performance and was taken off at half-time in favour of the more youthful and peaceful Palestra. (Palestra 6.5)

Barella 6 – A brilliant bit of quick thinking to slip the ball to Kean for Italy’s first-half opener. Given the circumstances, not a game that really allowed him to show his best qualities. (Frattesi 6)

Locatelli 6.5 – A comfortable and assured performance sitting at the base of the midfield, one of Italy’s most solid performers on the night. (Cristante 5)

Tonali 6.5 – Was often the forward-most of Italy’s three midfielders in the first half before they were reduced to 10 men, but spent a lot of the second period being urged to ‘protect’ Dimarco by CT Gattuso.

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ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Moise Kean of Italy celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

Dimarco 5.5 – Over the semi-final and tonight’s final, we haven’t seen the same level of performances that the Serie A MVP candidate seems to be able to offer so regularly for Inter. Unsurprisingly, spent most of the second half as part of a back five rather than the wing-back in a back three. (Spinazzola 6)

Retegui 6 – His biggest contribution was his pressing, which forced Nikola Vasilj into an error at the back and helped Italy to a 1-0 advantage after 15 minutes. He was the one to be sacrificed after Bastoni’s first-half red card. (Gatti 6.5)

Kean 7 – The finish of a top-class centre-forward to send Italy 1-0 up after 15 minutes: A first-time shot from the edge of the area, which he made look so easy. His eighth goal in his last six Italy appearances. How did he miss that chance on the hour mark, though? (Esposito 5)

Bosnia ratings​

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ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Haris Tabakovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team’s equalizing goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

Vasjli 5; Dedic 6, Katic 6, Muharemovic 6.5, Kolasinac 5.5 (Alajbegovic 7); Bajraktarevic 7, Basic 6 (Tabakovic 7), Sunjic 5.5 (Tahirovic 6.5), Memic 6.5 (Burnic 6); Dzeko 6.5, Demirovic 6 (Hadziahmetovic n/a).

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