Italy booked their place in the World Cup play-off finals with a gritty 2-0 win against Northern Ireland in Bergamo. Rino Gattuso's team went into the crunch tie with the weight of the nation on their shoulders, given the Azzurri have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups. The four-time winners were met with some stiff resistance from Michael O'Neill's team but eventually made the breakthrough 11 minutes into the second half. Ireland failed to clear their lines from a deep cross and Newcastle's Sandro Tonali lashed a rasping volley past Pierce Charles and into the back of the net. For the away team, the pain goes on with Northern Ireland's wait to reach the big time now extending past the 40-year mark.

Source: Express March 26, 2026 19:17 UTC