US EditionItaly 2-0 Northern Ireland: Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean goals fire Azzurri into World Cup play-off final
Second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean secured Italy's spot in the World Cup play-off final, ending Northern Ireland's chance to qualify since 1986.
- On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Italy defeated Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo, advancing to the World Cup playoff final and moving closer to ending their 12-year tournament absence.
- The Azzurri entered the playoff under intense pressure after failing to qualify for the last two World Cup tournaments, while Northern Ireland's defeat extends their wait for a World Cup appearance past the 40-year mark.
- Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali broke the deadlock in the 56th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error, while Italy forward Moise Kean sealed the result in the 80th minute with a low shot into the net.
- Italy will face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tuesday's playoff final, with the winner earning a place in the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill oversaw a young side with an average age of 22.5, but the squad must now shift focus toward the upcoming Nations League campaign following the playoff elimination.
72 Articles
72 Articles
After Italy's tedious start-up victory in the World Cup play-off, the relief of the four-time world champion is great. "We saw a bit of monsters this week when you think back to what happened to Italy in recent years," said midfielder Sandro Tonali after the 2-0 against Northern Ireland. Through the success, Italy moved into the play-off final, which is rising in Bosnia on Tuesday. Both in 2018 and 2022, the Italians had to watch the World Cup b…
Pages of Italy-Northern Ireland 2-0: Tonali dragatore, Kean lethale in the shooting, Retegui was wasting too much Gennaro Gattuso's Italy took the first step towards the World Cup 2026 beating 2-0 Northern Ireland in the semifinal playoff. The networks of Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean gave the Blues the pass for the final of Tuesday [...] L'articolo Italy - Northern Ireland 2-0, the cards: Tonali drags the blues comes from UltimeJuve.it.
After 45' colorless, the blues change rhythm. The former Milan, goals and assists to the purple for doubling
Tonali leads Italy past Northern Ireland and into World Cup playoff final
Italy finally won a match in the World Cup playoffs. Now the four-time champion needs to win one more to avoid failing to qualify for a third straight time. The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the European semifinals on Thursday.
To see America and play its first World Championship since 2014, the Squadra Azzurra came to an end on Thursday night of brave North Irish (2-0). But he still has a final stage on Tuesday on the Bosnian field that qualified for the shots to the goal in Wales.
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