Match report

Italy Secures 2-0 Win Over Northern Ireland in World Cup Qualification

Italy
Italy
2–0
FT
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Mar 26, 2026

Italy staked their claim in the World Cup Qualification Europe with a decisive 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland. S. Tonali and Moise Kean scored crucial goals, securing Italy's strong performance. Northern Ireland struggled to match Italy's pace and precision, ultimately falling short in their quest for points.

Key Facts

  • • S. Tonali scored the opening goal for Italy in the 56th minute.
  • • Moise Kean sealed the win with a second goal in the 80th minute.
  • • A. Bastoni received a yellow card for a foul in the 58th minute.
  • • Italy made multiple substitutions, including F. Gatti and F. Esposito.
  • • Northern Ireland substituted Brodie Spencer, J. Magennis, and P. Smyth.

Lineups

Italy

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 1 G. Donnarumma (G)
  • 23 G. Mancini (D)
  • 21 A. Bastoni (D)
  • 13 R. Calafiori (D)
  • 7 M. Politano (M)
  • 18 N. Barella (M)
  • 5 M. Locatelli (M)
  • 8 S. Tonali (M)
  • 3 F. Dimarco (M)
  • 11 M. Kean (F)
  • 9 M. Retegui (F)

Substitutes

  • 22 A. Meret
  • 12 M. Carnesecchi
  • 17 D. Frattesi
  • 10 G. Raspadori
  • 6 A. Buongiorno
  • 19 F. Gatti
  • 15 F. Esposito
  • 14 N. Pisilli
  • 2 M. Palestra
  • 16 B. Cristante
  • 4 L. Spinazzola
  • 20 G. Scalvini

Northern Ireland

Formation: 5-4-1

Starting XI

  • 23 P. Charles (G)
  • 2 T. Devlin (D)
  • 5 T. Hume (D)
  • 17 P. McNair (D)
  • 13 R. McConville (D)
  • 20 B. Spencer (D)
  • 15 J. Devenny (M)
  • 19 S. Charles (M)
  • 7 E. Galbraith (M)
  • 14 I. Price (M)
  • 10 J. Donley (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 C. Hazard
  • 1 B. Peacock-Farrell
  • 21 J. Magennis
  • 18 J. Reid
  • 6 G. Saville
  • 16 B. Lyons
  • 22 C. Brown
  • 8 C. Marshall
  • 11 P. Smyth
  • 3 E. Toal
  • 9 P. Kelly
  • 4 T. Atcheson

Timeline

  1. Italy
    56' Italy Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Tonali
  2. Italy
    58' Italy Card · Yellow Card
    A. Bastoni

    Foul

  3. Italy
    63' Italy subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Bastoni · On: F. Gatti
  4. Italy
    64' Italy subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Retegui · On: F. Esposito
  5. Northern Ireland
    68' Northern Ireland subst · Substitution 1
    Off: T. Devlin · On: P. Smyth
  6. Northern Ireland
    79' Northern Ireland subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Donley · On: J. Magennis
  7. Northern Ireland
    79' Northern Ireland subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Brodie Spencer · On: J. Reid
  8. Italy
    80' Italy Goal · Normal Goal
    Moise Kean · Assist: S. Tonali
  9. Italy
    83' Italy subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. Tonali · On: N. Pisilli
  10. Italy
    83' Italy subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Matteo Politano · On: M. Palestra
  11. Italy
    88' Italy subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Moise Kean · On: G. Raspadori

Match Stats

Stat Italy Northern Ireland
Fouls 11 8
Pass Accuracy 84% 76%
Offsides 2 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 19 8
Corners 12 3
Total Passes 503 308
Yellow Cards 1 0
Blocked Shots 5 3
Shots on Target 8 1
xG — —
Shots off Target 6 4
Possession 63% 37%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 423 235
Shots Inside Box 14 4
Saves 1 5
Shots Outside Box 5 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ S. Tonali's goal in the 56th minute broke the deadlock and gave Italy momentum.
  • ▸ Moise Kean's second goal in the 80th minute sealed Italy's victory, leaving Northern Ireland with little hope of a comeback.