Jorginho key spot-kick in Italy draw

Holding European Champions Italy failed to earn all three points against joint-Group C leaders Switzerland when the two clashed at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico tonight after playing out a dead-even 1-1 draw in front of their home support, but Chelsea midfielder Jorginho had a chance to steal all three points right at the death.

89′: VAR awards a penalty for Italy
90′: Jorginho skies the game-winning penalty against Switzerland

pic.twitter.com/nq0zAPts5t

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 12, 2021

Stepping up against Borussia Mönchengladbach keeper Yann Sommer from 12-yards out after VAR awarded Italy a penalty in the dying embers of the match, Jorginho blazed his spot-kick effort over the bar during stoppage time, leaving Gli Azzurri needing three points on the road against Northern Ireland to guarantee they top the group and qualify directly to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

It was not the first time that the Blues midfielder had missed a key effort from the spot for his country in recent months. Jorginho also missed his key effort in the Euro final against England at Wembley as the fifth of five takers, which would have guaranteed Italy their penalty shootout win.

Instead, Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka missed his chance to pull England back and force sudden death in the shootout, sparing Jorginho’s blushes on the night.

Damning stat paves way for Chelsea changing of the guard

If tonight was not frustrating enough for Italy fans, Chelsea supporters can feel equally concerned when stats revealed how ineffective Jorginho has been from the spot this season.

Since the beginning of last season, Jorginho has missed five penalties for club and country. pic.twitter.com/wFF9ptbl9T

— bet365 (@bet365) November 12, 2021

His miss tonight against Switzerland was the fifth occasion where the Brazilian-born Italian international has failed to tuck away his chances from 12-yards out for both club and country.

Known for his unique approach to spot-kicks, the poor return from the penalty spot could confirm a chance for others to fight for penalty duties under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, including key striker Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku himself has struggled in front of goal this season after starting his second stint at Stamford Bridge in fine form after his summer move, and the opportunity for Belgium’s all-time leading scorer to have increased chances to add to his sub-par goal totals this season for the current Premier League leaders could go a long way in helping Chelsea outpace Manchester City, Liverpool, and West Ham in the current title race.