Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland: Sandro Tonali proves he is a man for the big moments as Man United target helps hosts keep World Cup dream alive with play-off victory
Whatever the future holds for Sandro Tonali this summer, he still has a chance of going to the World Cup after guiding Italy to victory over brave Northern Ireland in Bergamo last night.
The Newcastle midfielder, who is being linked with a move to Manchester United, scored the crucial opening goal and assisted on the second for Moise Kean as Gennaro Gattuso’s side shattered Northern Ireland’s dream of qualifying for the finals for the first time in 40 years and gave Italy hope that their World Cup nightmare is coming to an end.
The four-time world champions have failed to qualify for the last two tournaments after losing a play-off to North Macedonia and Sweden, but they now have another chance in Tuesday’s decider against Bosnia.
For Northern Ireland, there is at least hope for the future from this talented group of young players who are at the beginning of their international journey.
‘I'm very proud of the performance,’ said manager Michael O’Neill. ‘Of course, the players are disappointed. For some of the older lads, they'll maybe think this chance won't come again. But the average age of the team is 22 and we showed that we've made huge strides.’
Sandro Tonali fired home Italy's first in their 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in Bergamo
Moise Kean sealed victory as Italy moved a step closer to qualifying for the World Cup
Missing Premier League defenders Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard, Northern Ireland produced a disciplined and dogged performance to keep the favourites at bay for almost an hour.
Italy failed to make their dominance count in a predictably one-sided first half in which they had 71 per cent of the possession and forced eight corners.
Pierce Charles kept out their best effort when he parried Federico Dimarco’s fierce shot against the legs of Mateo Retegui in front of goal early on.
The Sheffield Wednesday keeper rescued Northern Ireland again in the second half as he came out to block from Retegui when he raced clear onto Terry Devlin’s back-pass, and then tipped away Kean’s low drive.
But he was beaten moments later when Isaac Price met a cross from the right with a poor header which sat up invitingly on the edge of the box for Tonali who lashed a half-volley past Charles.
‘The first goal is poor from our point of view,’ added O’Neill. ‘The one person you don't want landing on the ball at that point in time is Tonali.’
Kean twice went close to extending the lead before sealing victory in the 80th minute with a clinical finish off the far post from Tonali’s looping pass.
