FIFA World Cup 2026 play-offs: Tonali shines as Italy beat Northern Ireland

Italy came within one win of ending its 12-year absence from the World Cup on Thursday with a 2-0 qualifying play-off semi-final victory over Northern Ireland thanks to second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean Afs56fs.

The breakthrough came in the 56th minute when Tonali pounced on a free cross, letting the ball bounce once before firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Kean effectively ended the match in the 80th minute, latching on to a Tonali pass and firing past his marker before sending a low strike into the net.

The four-time world champion will face the winner of Wales’ clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday for a place at the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico in June and July.

Published on March 27, 2026