Italy are via to the World Cup play-off ultimate, as Sandro Tonali scored one and assisted one other for Moise Kean to interrupt Northern Eire down.
The Azzurri went into with out Federico Chiesa, Mattia Zaccagni, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Gianluca Scamacca, however Alessandro Bastoni and Matteo Politano . Northern Eire missed Ali McCann, Conor Bradley and Daniel Ballard, qualifying for the play-offs largely due to their Nations League outcomes. The winners will face both Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina within the play-off ultimate away from residence on March 31.
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BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Gamers of Italy sing the nationwide anthem previous to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Eire at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
Federico Dimarco twice examined the goalkeeper on the close to put up early on, together with a ferocious half-volley was parried on the close to put up and struck Mateo Retegui.
Ethan Galbraith slipped on the counter-attack and prodded a end straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma when he ought to’ve handed to Isaac Worth.
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Retegui’s angled drive was additionally charged down by Ruari McConville, whereas Bastoni’s header was deflected simply large off Brodie Spencer.
Moise Kean blasted excessive and large from the sting of the world, whereas Bastoni nodded over from one other nook.
Retegui’s effort was straight on the goalkeeper, then after the restart a Riccardo Calafiori hopeful try along with his weaker proper foot was deflected into the arms of Pierce Charles.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Mateo Retegui of Italy reacts throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Eire at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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Retegui ought to’ve scored when he was despatched clear via the center on a Northern Eire error, however his first contact was poor and he clattered into the goalkeeper.
Moments later, Charles acquired down for an important fingertip save on the Kean angled drive.
The stress paid off, as a Politano cross was headed clear by Isaac Worth to the sting of the world, the place Tonali let it bounce to smash in exhausting and low along with his proper foot on the half-volley.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Sandro Tonali of Italy celebrates scoring his crew’s first objective throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Eire at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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Federico Gatti changed Bastoni after a yellow card, however Kean pressured one other save with an angled drive after operating down the proper.
Dimarco’s contact was too heavy as Riccardo Calafiori rolled throughout, however Gianluigi Donnarumma acquired away with a horrible go intercepted by Donley.
Francesco Pio Esposito’s glancing header from a nook was cleared virtually off the road by Hume with Calafiori prepared to ensure behind him.
Kean went so shut with an acrobatic overhead kick from Barella’s cross on a brief nook, but it surely was only a warning, as moments later he made it 2-0.
Tonali was concerned once more with a ball excessive, Kean managed along with his proper, used the bounce to show inside his defender and sweep the left-foot snooker shot in off the within of the far put up.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Moise Kean of Italy is challenged by Ruairi McConville of Northern Eire throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Eire at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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Marco Palestra made his senior debut and confirmed his talent with a sensational tackle Dimarco’s cross, however Pio Esposito couldn’t maintain it in play.
In added time, a Northern Eire free kick ricocheted round within the six-yard field, however no one may end it off.
Italy 2-0 Northern Eire
Tonali 56 (I), Kean 80 (I)