Italy vs Northern Ireland LIVE
Italy will contest a World Cup play-off final after beating Northern Ireland in the semi-finals on Thursday. Sandro Tonali broke the deadlock with a fine strike shortly before the hour mark, capping off a period of sustained pressure from the Azzurri, before Moise Kean made the game safe ten minutes from time.
The dream of qualifying for a first World Cup in 40 years is now over for the Green and White Army as a youthful side without Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard through injury were ultimately undone in the second half. Meanwhile, the Azzurri, who have missed out on qualifying for the last two World Cups, are now one step closer to ending their hiatus from the tournament.
Italy are now one win way from sealing a place at the 2026 World Cup, and with face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off final next Tuesday for the right to join Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B at this summer’s showpiece event. Follow the game back below with our dedicated match blog.
Italy vs Northern Ireland highlights
GOAL! Kean doubles Italy's lead GOAL! Tonali gives Italy a deserved leadLive updates
FULL-TIME
Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland
Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland
90 min: Smyth wins a free-kick in a dangerous position. Visitors need the perfect delivery and they almost grab a goal following confusion in the Italy six-yard box.
Three more minutes.
Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland
88 min: Moise Kean’s night is over as he is replaced by Raspadori. Both of Italy’s goalscorers are now off the pitch.
Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland
87 min: Fine touch from Palestra at the back post but Esposito can’t keep the ball in play.
Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland
83 min: Italy think the job tonight is done as Pisilli and Palestra replace Tonali and Politano.
International debut for Palestra.
GOAL! Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland | Moise Kean ‘80
80 min: GAME OVER!
Moise Kean doubles Italy's lead just moments after Northern Ireland had made two changes.
Striker picks out the corner with a fine finish.
Italy 1-0 Northern Ireland
78 min: Italy appear in no rush for a second goal. Locatelli pulling the strings in the middle of the park before Kean almost pulls of the spectacular.
Visitors repond with a double change as Magennis and Reid replace Devenny and Spencer.
Italy 1-0 Northern Ireland
75 min: Set-piece for Italy to defend and they do so comfortably as the delivery to the back post is poor and the ball floats out of play. Italy will take their time to get play restarted.
Italy 1-0 Northern Ireland
73 min: Nearly a second goal for Italy as Hume clears Esposito’s header off the line, taking the ball off Calafiori’s toes in the process.
Italy 1-0 Northern Ireland
70 min: Poor pass from Donnarumma almost gifts Northern Ireland a goal but Donley can’t adjust his body to take full advantage.
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