Sandro Tonali walked off the pitch in Bergamo on Thursday night with a goal, an assist, and Italy one step closer to ending 12 years of hurt. The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in their World Cup 2026 playoff semi-final, and while the scoreline looked comfortable in the end, there was nothing simple about the road that led them here.
Italy have not been to a World Cup since 2014. Two consecutive failures to qualify sat heavy on this squad and this nation before a ball was kicked. Their coach, Gennaro Gattuso, who replaced Luciano Spalletti last June, said before the game they had no other option but to win. He was right.
The Match
The first half in front of 23,439 fans at the New Balance Arena felt exactly like that pressure. Italy dominated possession but could not find the decisive moment. Goalkeeper Pierce Charles was calm and capable for Northern Ireland, keeping out Moise Kean twice and a Riccardo Calafiori deflection without too much difficulty.
Michael O’Neill had built a Northern Ireland side with an average age of around 22. They were organised, compact, and in the early exchanges they were more than holding their own. Ethan Galbraith had a chance to steal something but hesitated when he should have shot. The moment went. Italy were still goalless at the break, and the tension inside the stadium was real.
The second half changed everything in one moment. Isaac Price’s headed clearance dropped at the edge of the box right at the feet of Tonali, who had returned from injury after missing Newcastle’s derby against Sunderland. He did not think about it. He rifled the ball into the right corner in the 56th minute and Bergamo finally breathed.
From there, Italy controlled the game without ever letting Northern Ireland feel like they had a way back in. Trai Hume made two vital blocks to keep it close but the second goal was only a matter of time. Tonali picked the ball up, found a cross-field pass into the area, and Kean brought it down with expert control before cutting inside Ruairi McConville and slotting in off the left post with 10 minutes remaining.
Italy won 2-0. The scoreline was deserved. Their expected goals total of 1.59 from 19 shots, with eight on target, compared to Northern Ireland’s 0.47 from eight attempts told the whole story.
Kean and Tonali’s Night
The story of the night was shared by two men. Kean, the Fiorentina striker, has now scored in each of his last five appearances for Italy, seven goals in that run. He is the first Italy player to score in five consecutive international appearances since Salvatore Schillaci in July 1990. For a forward who has bounced between clubs for years trying to find consistency, this streak for the national team is the clearest statement of his career.
Tonali’s role was equally significant. He has scored twice in his last five outings for Italy, as many as in his first 26 caps combined. For a player who came back from a betting ban in 2023 and rebuilt his career at Newcastle United, this form for the Azzurri carries weight that goes beyond statistics.
“We focused on not giving them their strengths,” Tonali said after the match. “We have been feeling positive since the coach arrived. There is no other option but to win.”
Gattuso was equally direct. “After taking the lead, we cleared our minds,” the Italy coach said. “This should be a confidence boost for Tuesday. We have to win. We have no other choice.”
Northern Ireland’s Night
For Northern Ireland, the loss stings but the performance deserves acknowledgment. They were missing Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard to injury, two players who would have added quality in key positions. Without them, O’Neill asked his young squad to defend their lives and for long periods they did exactly that.
Northern Ireland’s last World Cup was 1986. That 40-year wait continues, and it will continue now for at least another four years. But the way O’Neill’s side carried themselves on Thursday, with organisation and spirit, gave a clear picture of a team that is building something real.
“I cannot ask much more from the players,” O’Neill said. “Our game plan worked very well in the first half. There is courage and energy in this team. I am very proud because we are a very young team.”
What Comes Next
Italy travel to Zenica on Tuesday, March 31, to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Path A final. The winner secures a place at the World Cup this summer, landing in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
Bosnia qualified from their semi-final against Wales through a penalty shootout, winning 4-2 on spot kicks after finishing 1-1. They will play in front of their own supporters in Zenica, and that matters. Italy know they cannot afford to be nervous again. Tonali is in form. Kean is sharp. But Bosnia will make it hard.
Twelve years without a World Cup. One match left to end it.
