US EditionItaly beat Northern Ireland 2-0 to close in on World Cup spot
Italy ended a 12-year World Cup absence by beating Northern Ireland 2-0 in the playoff semi, with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean, moving one win away from qualification.
- On Thursday, March 26, Italy defeated Northern Ireland 2-0 in their World Cup playoff semifinal in Bergamo. Second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean moved the four-time champions within one win of ending their 12-year tournament absence.
- Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso moved the match from Milan's San Siro to Bergamo's New Balance Arena, admitting he feared the "caustic" atmosphere of a larger venue following the nation's failure to qualify for the last two World Cups.
- The breakthrough arrived in the 56th minute when Tonali fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. Kean effectively ended the contest in the 80th minute, latching onto a Tonali pass after Italy dominated the opening half without scoring.
- "I felt the whole country was on my shoulders," Kean told Sky Sports regarding his goal. Italy now prepares for a final match on Tuesday against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina to secure a spot in the 2026 tournament.
- Northern Ireland's quest to reach a first World Cup since 1986 ended with the defeat, eliminating them from contention. Italy will face the winner of the Wales versus Bosnia and Herzegovina semifinal to complete qualification for the 2026 tournament.
43 Articles
43 Articles
Italy is a step away from returning to a World Cup after 12 years of absence by defeating Northern Ireland 2-0 and life will be played against Bosnia and Herzegovina
One match away from a World Cup return after 12 years... Tonali scores 1 goal and provides 1 assist as Italy defeats Northern Ireland 2-0. OSEN = Reporter Kang Pil-ju. Will the Italian Azzurri finally break the chains of the nightmare of failing to qualify for the World Cup finals for the third consecutive time? If Italy wins just one more match, they will qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time in 12 years.
Italy Beats 2–0 to Northern Ireland and Moves Towards the End of the Repechaje to the World Cup 2026
Italy took an important step towards qualifying the 2026 World Cup after beating 2–0 Northern Ireland in the semifinal of the repesca, with goals by Tonali and Kean in the second half. The so many released the accumulated pressure in the last days and gave confidence to a team that did not contest the most important tournament since 2014.
Among the Blues the two Tonals (7) and Kean (7) are shining. Politano is also good. In Northern Ireland the best is Galbraith (7)
The Italian national football team, which has missed out on the last two World Cup finals, scored two unanswered goals against Northern Ireland in the qualifiers and will play for a World Cup ticket next Tuesday.
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