Italy national football team moved to within one victory of ending a 12 year absence from the World Cup after a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland national football team in their qualification playoff semi final.
Second half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean secured the result for the four time world champions.
The breakthrough came in the 56th minute when Tonali reacted to a cleared cross, allowing the ball to bounce before striking a precise effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Kean sealed the victory in the 80th minute after collecting a pass from Tonali, evading his marker and finishing with a low shot into the net.
Italy will now face the winner of the playoff clash between Wales national football team and Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team on Tuesday, with a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico at stake.
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