Italy move closer to World Cup qualification with win over Northern Ireland

Sandro Tonali produced a top performance to help Italy progress to the World Cup play-off final, scoring one and assisting another for Moise Kean to secure a 2-0 win against Northern Ireland.

The Azzurri will face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off final away from home on March 31.

Italy had the first chance as Federico Dimarco twice tested the goalkeeper at the near post. The goalie parried a ferocious half-volley at the near post and struck Mateo Retegui.

Ethan Galbraith failed to take advantage of a counterattack move as he slipped and prodded a finish straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma despite having an option of releasing the ball to Isaac Price.

Ruari McConville stopped Italy from going ahead by charging down Retegui’s angled drive, while Bastoni’s header was deflected just wide off Brodie Spencer.

Italy continue the search for an opener as Moise Kean blasted high and wide from the edge of the area, while Bastoni nodded over from another corner.

Retegui’s effort went straight to the goalkeeper, while Riccardo Calafiori’s weaker right-footed shot was deflected into the arms of Pierce Charles.

Retegui had the best opportunity t when sent clear through the middle on a Northern Ireland error, but his first touch let him down, and he clattered into the goalkeeper.

Charles then made a great fingertip save on the Kean angled drive, and the pressure eventually paid off, as a Politano cross was headed clear by Isaac Price to the edge of the area, where Tonali, who let it bounce, smashed in hard and low with his right foot on the half-volley.

Another poor touch from Dimarco, see Riccardo Calafiori rolled the ball across the goal, but Gianluigi Donnarumma got away with a terrible pass intercepted by Donley.

 Hume then stopped Francesco Pio Esposito’s glancing header from a corner with Calafiori ready to make sure behind him.

Tonali then assisted over the top, Kean controlled with his right, turned inside his defender and swept the left-foot snooker shot in off the inside of the far post.