Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland
Roberto Mancini’s impressive record as Italy manager continued in Parma tonight as the Azzurri beat a battling Northern Ireland in their Group C opener.
Here at SBOTOP, we said that the World Cup 2022 qualifiers between Italy and Northern Ireland in Parma was as tough a start as the Irish could expect. The Azzurri qualified for the Euro 2020 finals with a 100 per cent record and they set about their visitors with clinical efficiency. Man-of-the-match Domenico Berardi opened the scoring before Ciro Immobile doubled the lead just before the break.
Northern Ireland battled to get back into the game in the second half but Italy held firm to collect all three points.
Highlights of the game
Northern Ireland started brightly enough but they had an early warning when Ciro Immobile was put clean through on goal but, under pressure, he shot down into the ground and up into the grateful hands of Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
The next time Italy attacked they were altogether more ruthless. Domenico Berardi was set free down the right flank and he only had one thing in mind as he cut inside and fired a fierce shot over Peacock-Farrell and into the roof of the net. Italy began to crank up the pressure and the Burnley keeper had to be alert to make a smart save when Berardi lofted a ball over the top to Immobile, and he was there again to deny Lorenzo Insigne when the Napoli man took aim.
When Italy’s second came it was a result of a quick turnover of possession after an Ireland counter-attack. Immobile burst through the visitors’ defence and fired past Peacock-Farrell at his near post.
The Bianconeri defensive duo of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini lined up at the back for the Azzurri. Italy’s Juventus players have a serious task on, back in Serie A, to ensure they qualify for the 2021/22 Champions League; but they don’t have to be asked twice to represent their country. And while the first half World Cup 2022 highlights told a story of Azzurri domination, when called upon the hosts’ defence was rock solid.
In fact, while Peacock-Farrell was a busy boy in the Ireland goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma didn’t have a save to make in the opening 45.
But that all changed after the break.
The AC Milan man saw some action early in the second half, reacting quickly to clear before Gavin Whyte could pounce as Northern Ireland tried to get back into the game; but they couldn’t get much change out of the Italy backline. At the other end of the pitch Insigne went on a run before cutting in and sending a curling effort just beyond the upright.
Ireland kept plugging away and Donnarumma had be alert to clear the danger after a corner was recycled. And the Italy keeper had another save to make when Ireland skipper Steven Davies tried his luck on his record 125th international appearance.
Paddy McNair had a glorious chance to pull a goal back for Ireland, with three minutes remaining, when he met a pullback from Davies but he blasted high and wide.
Key statistics
At 1.18 for an Azzurri win, the World Cup 2022 betting odds more than hinted at a comfortable home victory and the hosts certainly dominated the first 45 minutes, registering eight shots to Ireland’s one and five shots on target to none.
The visitors fought back and ended up with three shots on target of their own, while Italy remained on five.
But Mancini’s men got the job done to extend their unbeaten run to 23.
Italy have never lost a home World Cup qualifier and are unbeaten in 56 home competitive internationals.
Northern Ireland are without a win in six, but their second-half performance gives cause for hope.
What’s next?
In other Group C action tonight Switzerland won 3-1 away to Bulgaria to top Group C alongside Italy.
Next up, the Azzurri follow in the footsteps of the Swiss when they head to the Vasil Levski Stadium to play the Lions at the weekend, and then they continue their tour of Eastern Europe when they have an away fixture against Lithuania to contend with. Mancini will expect another six points before the next seven days are out.
Ian Baraclough’s Northern Ireland has a friendly game against the USA in Belfast on Sunday before hosting Bulgaria in their second World Cup qualifier. That’s a hugely important game for the Irish and one they’ll believe they can win if they play as they did in the second half tonight.
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