Northern Ireland’s World Cup dream is over after they lost out to Italy in tonight’s FIFA World Cup 2026 play-off semi-final in Bergamo.
Two second half goals were enough to see the Italians over the finishing line at Stadio di Bergamo.
Italy will now meet Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European Qualifiers Path A play-off final, while Northern Ireland will go to Cardiff for a friendly against Wales, who were beaten on penalties by the Bosnians tonight in the other semi-final.
Northern Ireland produced a fine performance, however they were undone by a powerful volley from Italy talisman Sandro Tonali and a precision goal from Moise Kean.
Italy, who have lifted the World Cup on four occasions, were strong favourites to win the game, however Michael O’Neill’s side more than held their own for much of the contest.
The Italians had the first chance of the game. A Federico Dimarco corner found Tonali at the back post but the playmaker’s header dropped wide of the upright.
Then Pierce Charles pushed out a dangerous Dimarco cross at the near post and the keeper got down well to save a low Dimarco drive minutes later.
Brodie Spencer and Ruairi McConville put in excellent blocks to keep the marauding Italians at bay during the early exchanges.
Down the other end Justin Devenny whipped in a vicious corner which somehow evaded everyone inside the six-yard area.
Paddy McNair darted across the area to thwart Italy striker Kean as he threatened to connect with a ball over the top.
Ethan Galbraith powerfully ran towards goal but his shot was deflected into the arms of Italian keeper and captain Gianluigi Donnarumma.
As the game reached the half-hour mark Terry Devlin did well to block a Dimarco cross close to the bye-line. And then McNair blocked a shot by Italian striker Mateo Retegui, while McConville headed another dangerous cross clear.
McConville rose well at the other end but his header hit an Italian defender and was cleared.
Kean blasted a shot past the upright as the game ebbed and flowed.
As the interval approached another pinpoint corner kick delivery from Dimarco was met by defender Alessandro Bastoni, however his flicked header went just over the bar.
Another Italian ball in behind found Retegui but he shot straight at Charles, while Jamie Donley fired a shot wide moments before the half-time whistle was blown.
Just after the restart Northern Ireland captain Trai Hume shot wide from distance and Riccardo Calafiori’s low shot was comfortably gathered in by Pierce Charles.
Retegui raced towards goal after latching on to a loose ball and Charles raced off his line to bravely make the save at the forward’s feet.
In the 54th minute Charles dived full length to push Kean’s low shot past the post as Italy turned the screw. It was a great save.
A minute later Tonali netted for the Italians. A defensive clearance fell at his feet and he superbly hammered the ball home from the edge of the area.
On 65 minutes Charles pushed out another Kean blaster as Italy went in search of a second goal.
Substitute Paul Smyth ran at Donnarumma as the ball was passed back to him. The goalkeeper’s rushed clearance hit Donley at pace and he was unable to control the ball.
On 73 minutes a Dimarco corner was met by Italy substitute Pio Esposito. He fired an effort towards goal through a crowded six-yard box but Hume was there to clear the ball off the line.
Niccolo Barella hit a shot well over the top as the Italians continued to press, and Matteo Politano was superbly tackled by McConville as he made progress down the right flank.
Kean scooped an overhead kick wide of the target before he grabbed Italy’s second in the 80th minute. He latched on to a lofted Tonali pass, stepped inside his marker and produced a precise low finish which went in off the post.
In the closing stages McConville steered an effort off target, substitute Jamie Reid had a shot blocked and Price drove a shot over the top, however Italy had secured the 2-0 victory by then.
The Italians will now play the Bosnians away next Tuesday (31 March) for a place at this summer’s World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and USA. Northern Ireland and Wales will face each other in an international challenge match on the same day.
Italy: Gianluigi Donnarumma (captain), Federico Dimarco, Matteo Politano, Riccardo Calafiori, Alessandro Bastoni, Gianluca Mancini, Sandro Tonali, Manuel Locatelli, Mateo Retegui, Moise Kean, Nicolo Barella.
Substitutes: (used) Pio Esposito, Federico Gatti, Marco Palestra, Niccolo Pisilli, Giacomo Raspadori; (unused) Marco Carnesecchi (GK), Alex Meret (GK), Leonardo Spinazzola, Alessandro Buongiorno, Bryan Cristante, Davide Fratessi, Giorgio Scalvini.
Northern Ireland: Pierce Charles, Terry Devlin, Brodie Spencer, Trai Hume (captain), Paddy McNair, Ruairi McConville, Ethan Galbraith, Shea Charles, Jamie Donley, Isaac Price, Justin Devenny.
Substitutes: (used) Paul Smyth, Jamie Reid, Josh Magennis; (unused) Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Conor Hazard, Eoin Toal, Tom Atcheson, George Saville, Callum Marshall, Patrick Kelly, Brad Lyons, Ciaron Brown.
Action from Bergamo
