Bulgaria's hopes of featuring in next year's football World Cup in South Africa melted away after a 2-0 away defeat from reigning world champions Italy in Turin on September 9.

Italy, meanwhile, have all but assured their participation in the finals, perched on top of qualifying Group 8 with 20 points, four ahead of second-placed Ireland. The two teams will meet at Croke Park in Dublin in the next round of matches on October 10.

Bulgaria is third on 11 points and retains slim theoretical chances of qualification, provided Ireland lose at home both to Italy and Montenegro, while Bulgaria beats both Cyprus and Georgia. The harsh reality is that the Bulgarian fans are used to now familiar refrain, "next time".
 
Bulgaria played well in Turin, with potent surges forward that could have result in a goal on a number of occasions. Even after the hosts went one up after 11 minutes, through a Fabio Grosso goal, Bulgaria regrouped and never stopped pushing forward.
 
Stiliyan Petrov spilled an opportunity in the 25th minute, left alone on goal following a corner kick, but his powerful shot was brilliantly parried by Gianluigi Buffon.
 
Italy’s class was more than apparent and the hosts wrapped the match before half-time. Andrea Pirlo found Grosso, who in turn fed Vincenzo Iaquinta. Juventus' forward, advancing on the left side of the penalty area, unleashed an unstoppable ball past Bulgarian goalkeeper Dimitar Ivankov.
 
"We need divine intervention from now on if we are to qualify for South Africa," Bulgarian head coach Stanimir Stoilov said in an interview with the Bulgarian National Television after the match.
 
"It’s sad for the fans, for the players, particularly because for some of the lads this was the last opportunity to play in a World Cup final tournament," he said.
 
"The national team will have to be renewed, it’s a natural, gradual process," he said. "There are young lads coming through who will replace some of the current players in the next campaign," he said.