The surprising 1-0 defeat by North Macedonia, which knocked Italy out of the World Cup play-offs, left Italian journalists in disbelief.
In Palermo, Italy were expected to sweep aside the relative unknowns, but a stoppage time goal from Aleksandar Trajkovski gave the visitors a surprising victory, putting them in a play-off final against Portugal for a place in Qatar later this year.
Despite being named European Champions after defeating England at Wembley last summer, the Azzurri will now miss a second consecutive World Cup after slipping up against Sweden at the same level in their bid to reach Russia in 2018.
The popular Italian sites, as expected, were filled with anguish, with Tuttosport leading with the title "Nooooooooo!" beside an image of Giorgio Chiellini facing goalie Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The same image appeared on the front page of Gazzetta dello Sport, with the headline: 'Out of the World Cup,' while alleging that under fire manager Roberto Mancini would have to consider resigning
Meanwhile, the front page of Corriere dello Sport had Chelsea midfielder Jorginho with his face buried inside his match shirt alongside Donnarumma, with the heading "To Hell."
The article also mentions a "elimination shock" and Mancini's "immense disappointment," but concludes that "for the time being, he remains" in control.
'We'll see,' Mancini replied when asked if he will keep his job after failing to qualify.
I believe that everyone is currently too depressed to consider the future.'
Mancini, on the other hand, thinks that his team's failure to qualify for the finals in Qatar this winter is down to bad luck rather than a lack of ability.
'This was the biggest disappointment of my life,' he stated, adding that the Euros had been the most fantastic event of his life.
'We can't say anything because it's football, and fantastic things happen all the time, and that's exactly what happened
'We shouldn't have been here in the first place, but we gave it our all to win, and it's difficult to even talk about it now.'
We shouldn't have been here in the first place, but we gave it our all to win, and it's difficult to even discuss it.
'We deserved to win the Euros because we played fantastic football.'
Then, from September onwards, some of our good fortune in that tournament turned into absolute and full ill luck, as some extraordinary things transpired.
'We had the upper hand in the group; all we needed was one of those instances to go well, but neither of them did.'
It almost feels right that a goal was conceded in the 92nd minute tonight.
'This is a great set of players, and I pity them.'
Giorgio Chiellini, the Italian defender, expressed a similar feeling while appearing to support Mancini, saying: 'There is huge disappointment.'
We had a good game, but we were unable to score.
My guys have made me proud.
We have been obliterated.
I hope Mr. Mancini's future remains bright.'
'This is not the moment to announce whether or not this is my last match in the national team,' the 37-year-old Italian skipper stated when asked about his own international future.
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