Enis Bardhi smashed in a free-kick for the hosts with nine minutes remaining in the Group C clash in Skopje on Luciano Spalletti's debut as Azzurri coach. Italy, who scored through Ciro Immobile, sit third in the group on four points following the third match of their qualifying campaign. They are nine points behind leaders England who have played two more games and were held to a 1-1 draw by second-placed Ukraine earlier on Saturday. North Macedonia sit fourth and level on points with Italy after a rugged performance from a team which came into Saturday's fixture deep in crisis. However instead of building on that strong start to the half Italy lost their way.
