Northern Ireland to miss out on the World Cup
Italy 2 - 0 Northern Ireland
Italy moved a step closer to a first World Cup appearance since 2014 with a composed victory that ended Northern Ireland’s play-off hopes
Author | Mark Lee
Stadium | New Balance Arena
Sandro Tonali, the Newcastle United midfielder, broke the visitors’ resistance and eased the tension inside the New Balance Arena with a powerful strike from the edge of the area in the 56th minute.
As Northern Ireland pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Moise Kean made the result safe, guiding a finish in off the post with 10 minutes remaining.
It had been a positive start for Northern Ireland
Until then, Michael O'Neill’s side, featuring their second youngest average age since the Second World War at 22.5, had frustrated Italy and carried a threat going forward. Their lack of cutting edge in the final third, however, proved costly.
In pursuit of a first World Cup in 40 years and only a fourth in their history, Northern Ireland were unable to test Gianluigi Donnarumma in the home goal.
Italy, under significant pressure to avoid becoming the first former winners to miss three successive tournaments, found a way through despite the absence of key Northern Ireland players including Conor Bradley, Dan Ballard and Ali McCann.
Managed by Gennaro Gattuso, they will now travel to face Bosnia and Herzegovina, who overcame Wales on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Cardiff.
The winner of that tie will take a place in Group B at the World Cup alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.
Northern Ireland, meanwhile, turn their attention to a friendly against Wales in Cardiff as they regroup following their play-off exit.
