Italy hosted against Northern Ireland in the play offs for the final tickets to the World Cup. Around 25 thousand fans made their way to the New Balance Arena in Bergamo for a match that a football nation like Italy should never really find itself in.
The Azzurri is no longer seen as one of the very best national teams in the world. Yes, it impressively won the European Championship in 2021, but it has been since 2014 that Italy last appeared on the biggest stage. Back then, just like in South Africa four years earlier, they were eliminated in the group stage.
This current Italy side is led by head coach Gennaro Gattuso and record international Gianluigi Buffon, who serves as team coordinator. Both men experienced the absolute peak with the Azzurri as a player when they lifted their country’s fourth World Cup back in 2006.
That triumph now feels like a distant memory. For the upcoming edition, Italy did not qualify directly. They finished behind a stronger Norway in their group, losing heavily twice against Erling Haalands side, which forced them into second place.
Northern Ireland did not reach these play offs through the traditional qualification route. Instead, they earned their spot via the UEFA Nations League after strong performances in their group. The last time Northern Ireland played at a World Cup is very long ago. It dates back to Mexico 1986, the tournament where Belgium reached the semi finals before losing to Diego Maradona’s Argentina.
That Italy possess a stronger squad than the visitors from the United Kingdom is no secret. After the Italians traditionally sang “Il Canto degli Italiani”, it was finally time for kick off. The home side controlled the game directly, while Northern Ireland looked to threaten on the counterattack.
Before the break, Italy pushed for the opening goal. From a corner by Federico Dimarco, Sandro Tonali headed wide. Shortly after, Dimarco tried his trademark low shot from the left toward the far post, but it caused no problems to goalkeeper Pierce Charles.
When Northern Ireland did manage to get near the goal of Gianluigi Donnarumma, they failed to make the most of their chances. Aside from a blocked effort by Ethan Galbraith, they offered little in the first half. Italy’s defensive communication was not perfect, but the visitors could not capitalize.
Apart from a few desperate attempts from Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean, the Azzurri struggled to break the deadlock. Just before half time, a strong header from Alessandro Bastoni went narrowly over the bar. The score remained 0 0 at the break.
The visitors had not created real chances, yet many fans feared a repeat of the 2022 play off disaster against North Macedonia. On that occasion, Italy dominated but were knocked out by a late long range strike from Aleksandar Trajkovski.
At the start of the second half, Italy continued in the same fashion. Retegui and Kean both came close to scoring, but goalkeeper Charles stood out and kept Northern Ireland in the game with crucial interventions.
That resistance did not last. In the 56th minute, the home side finally got the reward they deserved. Isaac Price headed a cross from Matteo Politano straight into the feet of Tonali. The Newcastle midfielder did not hesitate and fired a great shot on target. It was 1:0 to Italy, and the relief inside the stadium was visible.
Northern Ireland struggled to respond, and Italy started searching for a second goal. Substitute and Inter youth product Pio Esposito saw a header cleared off the line, while Kean came close with a bicycle kick effort.
The second goal eventually arrived ten minutes from time. Tonali sent a high ball forward to Kean, who finished with composure. He moved past Norwich City defender Ruairi McConville and struck with his weaker left foot, the ball going in off the post. The victory was now totally secured.
Italy claimed a 2:0 win over Northern Ireland in the end, and at the final whistle, a sense of relief swept through the stadium. It was a deserved result in a game where the opposition barely made an impact.
Now comes the final hurdle. On Tuesday, Gattuso’s men face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica. It promises to be a difficult challenge against the team of Edin Džeko, but missing a third consecutive World Cup would be an unthinkable outcome for a football nation like Italy.
