World Cup: 2-0 to Northern Ireland, Italia goes through to the play-off final

The first hurdle is passed, one more is missing to finally return to a World Cup after 12 years. Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the play-off semi-final thanks to goals both in the second half from Tonali in the 55th minute and Kean in the 80th minute. In the final on Tuesday, the Azzurri will face the winner of Wales-Bosnia Herzegovina.

It was a victory that suffered more than expected, coming only in the second half against a hostile opponent that cared almost only about defending. Lights and shadows in Italia's performance, which started well then became too nervous in the first half. Only once the result was unblocked did Gattuso's boys find lucidity and serenity to bring home the victory. Mancini and Calafiori did well among the Azzurri in defence, as did Locatelli at the helm. Tonali was fundamental in the middle with a goal and an assist, while Barella was less brilliant than usual. Solid performances from Dimarco and Politano, and Kean and Pio Esposito did well going forward when he came on. Now there is time until Tuesday to recharge the batteries while waiting to know the opponent in the final. There is still work to be completed, it is good to prepare as best as possible.

For the Azzurri national team, coach Gattuso deploys a 3-5-2 with Donnarumma in goal; the recovered Bastoni, Mancini with Calafiori in defence; on the flanks Politano on the right and Dimarco on the left; in midfield Locatelli, Tonali and Barella with Kean and Retegui as the attacking pair. Northern Ireland field a 3-5-1-1 with Price supporting Donley as the only forward. The referee is Dutchman Danny Makkelle. The winner of this match will then face the winner of Wales-Bosnia Herzegovina in the final, away. In the stands among others the Minister of Sport and Youths Andrea Abodi, the CONI president Luciano Buonfiglio alongside the FIGC president Gabriele Gravina. Bergamo's New Balance Arena was completely sold out with 23,439 spectators and the presence of more than a thousand visiting fans. Before the match, there was a moment to remember the singer-songwriter Gino Paoli, who passed away recently, with his music played through the stadium loudspeakers. A minute's silence was then observed in memory of Beppe Savoldi, bomber of Atalanta, Bologna and Napoli, as well as the national team, who passed away today at the age of 79.

On the stroke of half-time, Italia came close to scoring with Tonali's volleyed header from a corner kick, the ball skimming past the crossbar. Shortly afterwards another chance with Dimarco, who had the goalkeeper Charles on his back foot, but neither Retegui nor Tonali were able to put the ball back into the net. After a vehement start from the Azzurri, Northern Ireland settled down and began to show themselves from time to time in Donnarumma's area with high, dangerous balls. It was Galbraith's first guest effort, a weak, central right-footer from the edge of the box. The Giallorossi closed in well and Italia struggled to find space, their manoeuvre thus becoming sterile and slow, with Gattuso beginning to get nervous on the bench. At the turn of the half-hour mark the Azzurri were again dangerous with Retegui freeing himself well in the box but his right-footed shot was blocked for a corner. Bastoni then tried a header, but again the Northern Ireland defence saved. Then it was Kean who tried with a powerful right-footer from the edge of the box, the ball going wide. In the final minutes another attempt by Retegui was stopped by the home defence.

It was the Italo-Argentine who had a sensational chance on the counter-attack at the start of the second half, but he made a mistake in his first control and favoured the goalkeeper's exit. A minute later, the Azzurri came close to scoring again with Kean's diagonal shot blocked by the goalkeeper, but the Fiorentina forward could have perhaps served Retegui better placed in the area. The Bergamo stadium, however, warmed up and pushed Gattuso's boys to the longed-for goal. The author was Tonali in the 55th minute with a right-footed shot from the edge that left the goalkeeper no chance, after a Politano cross had been repelled by the Northern Irish defence. With the result unblocked, Italia could play with more fluency, also because now Ireland had to uncover themselves in order to seek an equalizer. After an hour of play, Gattuso removed Retegui and Bastoni, the latter not at his best, and inserted Pio Esposito and Gatti. It was the Inter striker who was immediately seen to be serving deep to Kean, whose diagonal header was again blocked by Charles. After a thrill from an erroneous Donnarumma pass not exploited by the visitors, the Azzurri came close to doubling their lead with Esposito's header aimed at Calafiori in the box, which was cleared off the line by a defender. The second goal was ripe for the taking, with Kean first touching it with a spectacular volley that went just wide, and then signing it in the 80th minute with a surgical low left-footed shot after a fine control from Tonali. The Bergamo stadium exploded, and in the stands they could finally breathe a sigh of relief for a hard-fought but all in all deserved victory. In the final Gattuso made Palestra's debut in place of Politano, and there was also space for Pisilli in place of Tonali. Well-deserved applause also for Kean, in his place Raspadori. It was crucial to preserve the energy of the number 8 and the other Azzurri ahead of Tuesday's final.