The Italian national team secured a victory in a World Cup playoff fixture. This four-time titleholder must now achieve another win to prevent a third consecutive failure to qualify.
On Thursday, the Azzurri defeated Northern Ireland with a score of two goals to nil during the European semifinal stage.
Sandro Tonali opened the scoring for Italy with a half-volley during the initial phase of the second half while playing at home in Bergamo, subsequently assisting Moise Kean for an additional point.
“Once we gained the advantage, our thoughts became clear,” stated Gennaro Gattuso, the coach for Italy. “Our display was strong. This ought to provide encouragement for the match on Tuesday.
“A victory is imperative. No alternative exists for us.”
Other nations progressing to the playoff finals, set for Tuesday, included Sweden, Turkey, Kosovo, and Denmark, all achieving wins within standard play. Czechia triumphed over Ireland following a penalty shootout, whereas Wales succumbed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a tie-breaker, making Bosnia and Herzegovina Italy’s forthcoming adversary in the decisive match.
Securing just one more victory would enable Italy to participate in the forthcoming competition hosted in North America, thereby preventing their absence from a third successive World Cup event.
During the 2018 World Cup playoffs, Italy was knocked out by Sweden after two legs without a win, and then faced an unexpected defeat by North Macedonia in the 2022 semifinal stage.
The difficulties experienced by Italy in the World Cup stretch back to 2010 and 2014, when they were unable to progress beyond the group stage in either instance.
The most recent World Cup knockout phase game for the Azzurri occurred in 2006, when they claimed the championship by defeating France through a penalty shootout.
The Italian squad recorded seven attempts on target, in contrast to Northern Ireland, which registered zero.
“Our performance in the initial half could have been superior. Nonetheless, we demonstrated considerable focus,” Gattuso remarked. “Our display in the latter half was exceptional. However, this outcome was not guaranteed.”
Viktor Gyökeres netted three goals, propelling Sweden to a 3-1 victory over Ukraine, despite not having scored for his national team since the year 2024. Prior to Thursday, Gyökeres had not found the net, and Sweden remained without a win throughout a disappointing qualifying group campaign.
This particular match took place on Spanish soil due to Ukraine’s inability to host international fixtures since the Russian incursion in 2022.
Sweden is set to compete against Poland following a vital headed goal from 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski in a 2-1 triumph against Albania, thereby maintaining the Barcelona forward’s ambition to appear in a third World Cup.
Albania established an early advantage courtesy of Arbër Hoxha shortly before the interval, capitalizing on a defensive error by Poland. Lewandowski’s headed effort from a corner kick brought his squad level before Piotr Zielinski’s subsequent goal pushed Poland ahead.
Kosovo stands one match away from their inaugural World Cup appearance, having twice come from behind to defeat Slovakia by a score of 4-3. This result arranges a playoff encounter with Türkiye to vie for a place in the World Cup.
In Denmark’s commanding 4-0 victory against North Macedonia, Gustav Isaksen found the net on two occasions within a span of two minutes.
Earlier on Thursday, Türkiye achieved a one-nil win against Romania and will now play Kosovo for an opportunity to reach their initial World Cup tournament since their third-place finish in 2002.
Türkiye seized the advantage soon after halftime as Ferdi Kadioglu was positioned favorably before the net by a lengthy, precise delivery from Arda Güler, a 21-year-old wide player for Real Madrid who holds the potential to emerge as one of the World Cup’s notable young talents.
The elimination of Romania signifies that Mircea Lucescu, at 80 years old, will not have the opportunity to serve as a coach at the World Cup for the first time. Lucescu had previously captained Romania in the 1970 World Cup.
During the second half, Nicolae Stanciu struck the goalpost for the Romanian side.
“We understood this encounter would be challenging. Lucescu is intimately familiar with us and planned accordingly,” stated Hakan Çalhanoglu, Türkiye’s captain. “During the opening half, we might have executed more effective runs into space. In the subsequent half, Ferdi capitalized on a pass in behind and we established a one-goal lead. From that point, control was ours.”
Information for this article was provided by The Associated Press.
