Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo on Thursday as they took care of business in their World Cup playoff semifinal, as they now advance to the final at Bosnia on Tuesday.
The winner of that game will play in the 2026 men’s World Cup finals.
Northern Ireland hung in there well but Michael O’Neill’s side could never really sustain attacks and Italy’s extra quality in the final third was the difference.
Sandro Tonali scored the opener and Moise Kean sealed the win late on, as Gennaro Gattuso’s side are one win from qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Stodgy Azzurri will fancy their chances
Yes, there was a huge gap in talent levels between Italy and Northern Ireland but the Italians defended superbly to snuff out any chance of an upset, and that bodes well for their final against Bosnia. It wasn’t a fluid or pretty display from Italy but they got the job done with minimum fuss. There is enough quality in the final third from Tonali breaking forward from midfield and the duo of Kean and Retegui up top to give their opponents plenty of problems in their final. And the key? Looking rock solid at the back with three central defenders and five midfielders clogging things up. Gattuso has created a tough team to break down and looks very similar to what he was as a player.
Italy vs Northern Ireland live updates!
Italy vs Northern Ireland score: 2-0
Tonali 56', Kean 80'
Northern Ireland almost grab a goal late on
A free kick is whipped in and it is bobbling around and dribbles just wide. Northern Ireland are throwing everything forward late on. They have worked so hard but it just isn’t going to be enough.
Kean makes it 2-0!
That is game, set, match for Italy. With 10 minutes to go, Kean finishes after some lovely control. Italy’s extra quality in the final third surely sends them to one of the playoff finals.
¡Golazo de Italia! Moise Kean pone el 2-0 a favor de Italia #EuropeanQualifiers pic.twitter.com/9RBQOm7gAd
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) March 26, 2026
Donnarumma almost gives away the ball
That could have been costly for Italy! Donnarumma with a sloppy pass at the back and Northern Ireland were almost in through Donley.
Charles denies Kean
Moises Kean is in but his low shot across goal is saved down low by Pierce Charles.
Tonali smashes home!
A cross into the box isn’t cleared well enough and Sandro Tonali charges onto it and smashes home. Relief for Italy as they lead 1-0! That goal was coming after some heavy Italian pressure.
¡Gol de Italia, gol de la esperanza mundialista! Anotó Tonali #EuropeanQualifiers pic.twitter.com/jCu3wjzhZ7
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) March 26, 2026
Great goalkeeping from Pierce!
A loose pass sets Retegui free on the break and he is charging in on goal but Pierce Charles is so brave and the Northern Ireland goalkeeper denies him.
¡Le faltaron piernas! Mateo Retegui no pudo en el mano a mano para Italia #EuropeanQualifiers pic.twitter.com/TVby5k2Vpa
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) March 26, 2026
Half time thoughts — Northern Ireland can win this
Yes, Italy are the more dangerous and composed team and they’ve had a few chances early on. But Northern Ireland look pretty comfortable defensively. They have also launched some counter attacks and if the final pass or decision had been better, they would have been in. Michael O’Neill knows his side are right in this at the break. Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso looks very frustrated and so do the fans.
Northern Ireland are hanging in there
They aren’t seeing a lot of the ball but on the odd occasion they are springing counter attacks. Northern Ireland are holding their own but just need to believe in themselves on the ball a little more.
Pierce Charles makes a good save
The ball finds Dimarco on the left side of the box and his low shot is pushed out well by Charles and the ball hits Retegui on the leg and Northern Ireland hack clear. As expected, it’s all Italy early on.
Early pressure from Italy
A corner from the right is whipped in and Tonali’s looping header drops just wide of the far post. Pierce Charles was a little worried about that.
Italy lineup
Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Tonali, Locatelli, Barella, Dimarco; Retegui, Kean
Northern Ireland lineup
P. Charles; McNair, McConville, Hume; Devlin, S. Charles, Devenny, Spencer; Galbraith, Price; Donley
How to watch Italy vs Northern Ireland live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3:45 pm, Thursday (March 26)
Venue: New Balance Arena — Bergamo, Italy
TV Channel/Streaming: FUBO/Vix (in the USA)
