Italy kept their 2026 World Cup hopes alive with a composed 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in Bergamo, taking a major step forward in the European play-offs. The result means the four-time world champions are now just one win away from ending their 12-year absence from the tournament.
After a tense first half, Italy took the lead in the 56th minute through Sandro Tonali, who calmed the nerves with a clean half-volley and shifted the tempo firmly in their favour. From that point on, Italy looked much more confident, controlling possession and dictating the tempo.
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The second goal came in the 80th minute and it was Tonali again. His cross-field pass found Moise Keane who took a cool touch before sliding his finish past the keeper to seal the win. It was a performance that combined patience with precision, something Italy have often lacked in recent campaigns.
Led by Gennaro Gattuso, Italy now face Bosnia and Herzegovina in a high-stakes play-off final. Having missed out on two consecutive World Cups, the pressure is still huge, but this win at least keeps their revival on track.
GYOKERES HATTRICK BOOSTS SWEDEN’S HOPES
Elsewhere, Viktor Gykeres produced one of the standout performances of the play-off round, scoring a hat-trick in Sweden’s 3-1 win over Ukraine. The forward, who had a quiet qualifying campaign, struck when it mattered most.
Gyokeres struck early, adding a second soon after the break before completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot to cap off a dominant display. His performance not only ensured Sweden progress, but also inspired confidence after a difficult group stage.
Sweden will now face Robert Lewandowski and Poland in the play-off final, setting up a clash between two of Europe’s most dangerous attacking centers. With a World Cup spot on the line, Gyokerese’s timely return to form could be crucial.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
March 27, 2026 10:21 AM IST
