Result Italy 2 – 0 Northern Ireland, Thursday, 26 March 2026, World Cup Playoffs
63% Ball Possession ITALY and 37% Ball Possession N. IRELAND
Italy 2 – 0 Northern Ireland 
56′ Sandro Tonali
80′ Moise Kean
👉 🇮🇹 Italy has taken a significant step towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. On Thursday, March 26, Italy triumphed in the Playoff match held at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium. They secured a 2–0 victory over Northern Ireland, with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean.
In simple terms, it was crucial to achieve this as best as possible. Italy faced challenges but ultimately celebrated a win. They managed to set aside all worries and fears, even after a lackluster first half. It wasn’t until the second half that Italy discovered their scoring path. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma hardly had to intervene, acting almost as a spectator. The final hurdle for qualification is set for Tuesday.
With a remarkable head-to-head record, Italy has not lost to Northern Ireland since 1958. Italy has achieved seven consecutive clean sheets against them.
👉 🇮🇹 Italy 1 – 0 Northern Ireland
⚽️ Italy gains the upper hand in the 56th minute. Sandro Tonali scores with a right-footed shot that beats Northern Ireland’s goalkeeper, Pierce Charles, in the bottom right corner.
👉 🇮🇹 Italy 2 – 0 Northern Ireland
⚽️ Italy extends their lead in the 80th minute! Moise Kean scores with a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner. Sandro Tonali provides the assist. What a fantastic play by Italy! Pio Esposito passes to Tonali; the ball then goes to Kean, who skillfully controls it, turns, and blasts it into the net with his left foot. GOOAAALLLLL
5 – Prior to Moise #Kean, the last player to score in 5 matches in a row for Italy was Salvatore Schillaci between June and July 1990. Predator.#ITANIR pic.twitter.com/hXnaGRgYIT
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) March 26, 2026
#ItalianSoccerSerieA #ITANIR #WorldCup #Tonali
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Statistics: Italy has a flawless record against Northern Ireland, with five victories and two draws, and they have not conceded a single goal in their last seven encounters.
Here are some details about Northern Ireland, Italy’s opponent.
Currently ranked 69th in the FIFA Rankings, Northern Ireland secured their spot by finishing first in Nations League Group C. They placed third in Qualifying Group A, behind Germany and Slovakia, with a record of three wins and three losses. The two teams have met eleven times, with Italy winning seven matches, drawing three, and suffering one unfortunate defeat—a 2-1 loss on January 15, 1958, in Belfast, which cost the Azzurri a World Cup qualification. Their most recent encounter, also in Belfast, ended in a 0-0 draw during the final qualifier for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, which led Italy to the play-offs.
The New Balance Arena is ready for Italy vs Northern Ireland
Credit via x.com/Atalanta_BC
🎶🎶 Fratelli d’Italia,
l’Italia s’è desta,
dell’elmo di Scipio
s’è cinta la testa.
Dov’è la Vittoria?
Le porga la chioma,
ché schiava di Roma
Iddio la creò. 🎶🎶
Italy’s national anthem ahead of its FIFA World Cup Qualifying playoff matchup against Northern Ireland 🎵🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/7XL9N4OZTU
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 26, 2026
Italy official starting lineup against Northern Ireland
Credit via x.com/Azzurri_En
Photo via x.com/Azzurri
World Cup Playoffs
🇮🇹 Italy 2 – 0 Northern Ireland
Thursday, 26 March 2026
New Balance Arena
Bergamo, Italy
20:45
Referee: Danny Makkelie
Assistants: Hessel Steegstra and Jan De Vries
Fourth official: Jesus Gil Manzano.
VAR: Pol van Boekel
AVAR: Jeroen Manschot
⚽️ Goals: 56′ Sandro Tonali, 80′ Moise Kean
🟨 Yellow Cards: 58′ Alessandro Bastoni (I)
✅ Official lineups – Tabellino:
🇮🇹 Lineup ITALIA (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui.
Subs: Carnesecchi, Meret, Palestra, Buongiorno, Spinazzola, Gatti, Scalvini, Pisilli, Cristante, Frattesi, Raspadori, Esposito
Head Coach: Gennaro Gattuso
Lineup IRLANDA DEL NORD (3-5-1-1): Charles, Hume, McNair, McConville; Devlin, Charles, Galbraith, Devenny, Spencer; Price; Donley.
Head Coach: Michael O’Neill