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Whatever the future holds for Sandro Tonali this summer, he is still in contention for a place at the World Cup after helping to fire 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 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 Italians have failed to qualify for the last two tournaments after losing a play-off to North Macedonia and Sweden, but they will now have another chance on Tuesday.
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.
Manager Michael O’Neill tried to play on the fact that the pressure was on Italy in the build-up to the game, and he kept up the message that his team had nothing to lose right up until kick-off.
‘This is a young team with everything to gain,’ he said. ‘I think there’s a steely determination about them, confidence as well, a belief in them.’
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, it was a determination they had to draw on repeatedly in a predictably one-sided first half that saw Italy dominate 71 per cent of the possession and force eight corners.
The home side failed to make it count, though. They looked short of ideas as Northern Ireland’s players produced a disciplined and dogged performance, getting their bodies in the way and heads on the ball time and again.
Italy’s best chance arrived in the sixth minute when Pierce Charles parried Federico Dimarco’s fierce effort against the legs of Mateo Retegui in front of goal and was relieved to see the ball scrambled to safety.
The Sheffield Wednesday keeper rescued Northern Ireland twice in a matter of moments in the second half, coming out to block from Retegui when he raced clear onto Terry Devlin’s back-pass, and then tipping away Moise Kean’s low drive.
But he was beaten seconds 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, and he lashed a half-volley past Charles.
Kean twice went close to extending the lead before sealing victory in the 80th minute, firing in off the far post from Tonali’s assist.
