Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini said his team-mates were destroyed and crushed after losing to North Macedonia and failing to reach the World Cup.
The European champion failed to qualify for the World Cup for the second year in a row.
There were contrasting scenes of jubilation and destruction in Palermo.
Chiellini said that a great void will remain within them.
We didn't concede anything except for the goal. We had lots of chances, but didn't score. There is disappointment. We have paid for the mistakes we have made.
I am proud of the team that gave everything. We are destroyed and crushed. We hope that this void will give us the push to start again.
Italy's victory over England in the final of Euro 2020 was a career highlight for manager Roberto Mancini, who had his team considered outsiders going into that tournament.
The European champion will have at least 12 years between appearances at the World Cup after finishing runners-up to Switzerland in their qualification campaign.
I had my greatest joy this summer and today is the biggest disappointment.
I apologize for the players. The team that won the Euros last summer was deserving of the award. I am really sorry that they can not go to the World Cup for the second time.
That is football. There is nothing to do when you lose.
It's difficult to comment on a match where we shot 40 times on goal without scoring, and we ended up with a goal in the 92nd minute. That is how it is.
The players are strong and have a future with the national team. It will be difficult in the next few days. It is the law of football.
It is too early to talk about the future, according to the man. We have to digest this loss.
I can say that I love these guys more tonight than I did in July. The disappointment is huge.
Jorginho accepted some responsibility for the result, saying it was a huge disappointment. It hurts so bad. I think we played well, because we dominated the match and have not been able to finish. The reality is that it is not to blame anyone.
In the last few matches we have not been able to finish and we have made some small mistakes that made the difference, because the opponents found the goal with a few attempts. We have to look at reality. We have not been able to finish the job and it hurts.
Marco Verratti said it was hard to understand what happened. Their goal in added time was a nightmare. It is difficult to accept that this group had a chance at the World Cup. We all know that we have given everything, now it is time to ask ourselves some questions.
Italy are the fourth team to win the Euros and then fail to qualify for the next World Cup, following Czechoslovakia, Denmark and Greece.
Mina Rzouki is a football journalist.
The team that won the Euros with this new style of football and refreshing youngsters on the pitch has had a nightmare in the qualification.
They missed penalties in both games against Switzerland and North Macedonia. A team that takes over a thousand shots but lacks a number nine worthy of their play.
Italy was known for being compact and having some swagger, but today we saw a young side who didn't seem to impose themselves on the game. Lorenzo Insigne is a big player but he wasn't there as the going got tough. Ciro Immobile was over thinking every kick.
North Macedonia is only 90 minutes away from reaching a second consecutive tournament.
They qualified for Euro 2020 via the Nations League, and if they can upset the odds again on Tuesday against Portugal they will be able to look forward to a first World Cup appearance.
The home side had only five shots on target, and the keeper was rarely troubled.
The manager Blagoja Milevski said he was happy for the goal by Aleksandar Trajkovski.
We know our strengths. Before the game, I told the guys to have fun.
That sentiment was echoed by the captain, who said he was still in shock.
I am overjoyed with the victory and I expect a great welcome back in North Macedonia, he said.
Can we beat Portugal? We will win. We will do everything to win.
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