Italy 2-0 over Northern Ireland, into playoff final
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- Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the European World Cup playoff semifinal in Bergamo, with Sandro Tonali scoring the opening goal.
- Sandro Tonali provided the assist for Moise Kean's second goal, delivering a crossfield pass that set up Kean's finish.
- Gennaro Gattuso said the win clears the team's minds and that Italy must win the final to avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup.
- Italy recorded seven shots on goal while Northern Ireland had none, indicating a dominant offensive performance.
- Italy is now set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff final, needing one more victory to secure a spot at the upcoming World Cup in North America.
Why it matters: Italy's victory puts the Azzurri one win away from a 2026 World Cup berth, preserving their place among the tournament's 32 teams and denying Northern Ireland a chance to progress. The win also relieves pressure on new coach Gattuso, whose tenure hinges on this final match.
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