After a tense first half, Italy find their edge in Bergamo—now a decisive clash with Bosnia awaits
Italy are now just one win away from returning to the World Cup.
A 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Bergamo—powered by standout performances from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean—has pushed the Azzurri into the final round of the playoff path. Next up: Bosnia, who advanced after a penalty shootout win over Wales.
Mission accomplished—for now.
A slow start, familiar tension
For much of the first half, this looked like another nervy Italian night.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side controlled possession but struggled to create real danger against a compact Northern Ireland defense. The visitors sat deep in a 5-4-1 shape, closing central spaces and forcing Italy into slow, predictable build-up play.
Despite dominating the ball, Italy lacked rhythm and penetration. Chances were limited—long-range efforts, a header from Alessandro Bastoni, and a couple of half-opportunities for Kean and Mateo Retegui.
The numbers suggested control. The performance told a different story.
Tonali changes everything
The turning point came early in the second half—and it came from midfield.
After a partially cleared cross, Tonali stepped onto the loose ball at the edge of the box and fired home with authority. It was a goal that broke the tension and injected energy into a previously flat performance.
From that moment on, Italy looked like a different team.
Tonali didn’t just score—he dictated tempo, drove the team forward, and ultimately provided the assist for the second goal. His performance was the defining factor of the night.
Kean seals it
If Tonali lit the spark, Kean finished the job.
After several near misses—including a sharp save from the Northern Ireland goalkeeper—Kean finally found the net late in the match, calmly finishing after being set up by Tonali.
It was his 12th goal for Italy—and arguably one of his most important.
Substitute Francesco Pio Esposito also made an impact, adding energy and movement that helped stretch the opposition in the closing stages.
Job done—but not complete
This wasn’t a vintage Italy performance. It was pragmatic, at times cautious, and far from spectacular.
But it was enough.
More importantly, it erased the ghosts of past playoff failures that had haunted Italian football in recent years. The Azzurri got through the first hurdle—and that alone carries weight.
Now comes the real test.
Next stop: Bosnia
The final step toward the 2026 World Cup will come against Bosnia in what promises to be an even tougher challenge—likely in a hostile environment.
Italy will need more:
more intensity
more creativity
more sharpness in attack
But there are reasons for optimism.
Tonali is emerging as a leader. Kean is delivering goals. The group is responding.
Italy is still standing—and now just 90 minutes away from returning to football’s biggest stage.
L’articolo Italy One Step from the World Cup: Tonali and Kean Lift Azzurri Past Northern Ireland proviene da Soccer Made In Italy.
