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Sportsound: Italy v Northern Ireland BBC Radio Ulster This video can not be played World Cup play-off semi-final: Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland Sandro Tonali puts Italy ahead in 56th minute Moise Kean doubles the lead after 80 minutes Northern Ireland's wait for a first World Cup appearance since 1986 goes on Italy on course to be at their first World Cup since 2014 Italy will play Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off final Lauren Mc Cann and Jana Mc Cabe Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) As that forecast suggested, it's a nice evening so far in Bergamo with a lovely skyline over the New Balance Arena. General view inside the stadium prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers play-off Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) It's a good evening for football in Bergamo weather wise after yesterday's heavy rain and thunder. Conditions forecast for Bergamo this evening Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) The Green and White Army are out in force in Bergamo and Faith Harper caught up with a few of them! This video can not be played The Green and White Army are confident Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) BBC Radio Ulster's Connor Phillips with BBC Sport NI's Gavin Andrews Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Legendary Italian player Gianfranco Zola tells BBC Sport NI that Italy "need to be careful" going into their play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland, saying that "the momentum is not with us". This video can not be played Northern Ireland will have an opportunity - Zola Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) I don’t think Northern Ireland have a chance mainly because Bradley is out. In the games I’ve watched he has been the stand-out time and time again.

I think Italy win this without a fuss 2-0 Kurt, Wales People seem to forget. ..

We've got Mc Nair, Paddy Mc Nair, I just don't think you understand.

He is an Ulsterman, better than Zidane. .. we've got Paddy Mc Nair! Kirk, Belfast Nice singing Kirk. It's a yes from me. Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) While you are waiting for kick-off, why don't you watch our preview show? It's on the BBC i Player right now (click this link here) to see Stephen Watson joined by Stuart Dallas, Gianfranco Zola and Stephen Craigan as they preview tonight's game! BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson, Stuart Dallas, Gianfranco Zola and Stephen Craigan Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neil tells BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson that his side go into Thursday's encounter with Italy in a positive frame of mind. This video can not be played 'Away games are always tough but we have to believe' Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Andy Gray BBC Sport NI in Bergamo Bergamo is a really beautiful city, with the old town up on the hill and the more modern area of the city down below. On a scenic route to the stadium yesterday I stumbled across this pretty spectacular view, and you can see where old meets new. The walls that surround the old town were built in the 16th century, and you can see the New Balance Arena sticking out above the buildings to the left of the picture. Not bad at all. Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) The Hume family have made the trip to Bergamo to support Trai, who will captain Northern Ireland tonight. Brother Mason and sister Farrah were on the Conor Phillips show earlier, with both predicting Trai would score and that Northern Ireland would win. Trai Hume's brother Mason and sister Farrah Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Listen to the thoughts of Gianfranco Zola on how Italy should approach tonight's game in Bergamo. This video can not be played 'Italy need to take a risk' - Zola Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) I’m fearing an Italy win but with a lot of fight and gumption from NI. Hopefully wrong! Ed, Newbury Send us your predictions using the Get Involved button on this page Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Gianfranco Zola spent the first decade of his career playing in Italy with Napoli and Parma, winning the Serie A title with the former and the Italian Super Cup and the Uefa Cup with the latter. He later moved to Chelsea and help the London side to trophy successes in the form of the Uefa Cup Winners' Cup, the Uefa Super Cup, two FA Cups, the League Cup and the Community Shield. In 2003 he was voted the greatest Chelsea player ever. At international level, Zola was capped 35 times by Italy and was part of the squad which competed at the 1994 World Cup, when they finished runners-up, and Euro 1996. Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Former Northern Ireland centre-back Stephen Craigan spent his entire club playing career in Scotland, turning out for Motherwell and Partick Thistle. The defender was capped 54 times and played in the memorable 1-0 victory over England at Windsor Park in September 2005, and also the 3-2 win over Spain at the same venue 12 months later. He captained his country on their end of season tour in 2010 against Turkey and Chile and continued as skipper against Montenegro in August of the same year. Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Stuart Dallas was a versatile player who could play at full-back, in midfield or at wing-back. At club level, he was a key part of the Leeds United side which won the Championship in 2019-20, earning the Yorkshire club promotion to the Premier League. He made a total of 248 appearances for Leeds, scoring 25 goals He made his Northern Ireland debut in 2011 and won 62 caps, scoring five goals. He was a member of Michael O'Neil's squad at the Euro 2016 finals in France. Dallas retired from football on 10 April 2024 after a two-year battle with a knee injury suffered in April 2022 in a match against Manchester City. Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) We're live on a number of BBC TV outlets this evening - BBC Three, BBC i Player, BBC One NI and of course, here on this page on the BBC Sport website and app too. We have an expert panel lined up for you. .. let's meet them! Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) The New Balance Arena in Bergamo is the venue for tonight's play-off semi-final. .. and it's some setting. General views of the New Balance Arena, Bergamo Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) The Connor Phillips show is coming live from Bergamo this afternoon on BBC Radio Ulster He's been out and about (in a very snazzy Radio Ulster training top) to meet the travelling 'Green and White Army' ahead of kick-off. You can listen to his show on this very page - just click the listen button above! Connor Phillips with Jamie and Nicky in Bergamo Connor Phillips with Connor and Beavis Italy v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Nerves settled any Northern Ireland fans? Over the next few hours we're here to hopefully settle any lingering doubts with all the build-up to kick-off in Bergamo. Our team in Bergamo will keep you up to date with all the colour and noise as the travelling fans get prepared for kick-off - and we have a smorgasbord of goodies for you here to keep you entertained. This video can not be played Watch: Northern Ireland fall short against Italy At a glance Under-pressure Italy move closer to first World Cup since 2014 Sandro Tonali opens scoring with fierce strike in 56th minute Moise Kean secures win with 10 minutes left to set up Bosnia-Herzegovina play-off final Northern Ireland miss out on first World Cup in 40 years despite spirited performance Four-time winners Italy moved one game closer to a first World Cup since 2014 with victory to end Northern Ireland's dream in their play-off semi-final in Bergamo. Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali broke the visitors' resolve, and the growing tension at the New Balance Arena, with a thunderous effort from the edge of the area in the 56th minute. As Northern Ireland pressed forward, Moise Kean added a second off the inside of the post to secure the success with 10 minutes remaining. Prior to that, Michael O'Neill's side - with the second-youngest average age since World War Two at just 22. 5 years - had not only frustrated Italy, but had good spells going forward, but a lack of end product in the final third proved to be costly. Northern Ireland, who were aiming to qualify for a first World Cup in 40 years and a fourth time in their history, did not trouble home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. But it was Italy, under huge pressure not to become the first winners to miss out on three tournaments in a row, who overcame a side without three key players in Conor Bradley, Dan Ballard and Ali Mc Cann. Gennaro Gattuso's side will now travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina, who defeated Wales 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in Cardiff. The winner of Tuesday's match will be rewarded with a place in Group B at the World Cup alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar. For Northern Ireland, they now face a friendly against Wales in Cardiff as the dust from the World Cup play-off settles. This video can not be played NI captain Trai Hume reflects on defeat in Bergamo Mc Nair despair as NI miss opportunity in Italy Wales suffer agonising World Cup play-off shootout loss to Bosnia Gyokeres Sweden's hero as Kosovo dream of first World Cup This video can not be played Watch: Sandro Tonali gives Italy the lead against Northern Ireland in Bergamo Even though they won the delayed 2020 Euros, Italy have had a dismal World Cup record since their 2006 triumph with two group-stage exits in 2010 and 2014, and they failed to even qualify for the next two editions after shock play-off defeats to Sweden and North Macedonia. Through Gattuso, the Italians had built up the passion and team spirit in the side before kick-off and, after a rousing rendition of the home anthem, they started with real intent. Tonali, who had earlier headed over a corner, had a golden chance to open the scoring but Trai Hume denied the Newcastle midfielder a simple tap-in after Federico Dimarco's effort was parried away by Pierce Charles. But as Northern Ireland stood firm the noise started to fade and it was not long until the 1, 600 travelling supporters made their voices heard. O'Neill's side did venture forward but the lack of end product was beginning to frustrate the NI manager in his technical area as Ruairi Mc Conville, Ethan Galbraith, who elected to shoot instead of playing in Isaac Price, and Jamie Donley could not make create the openings required. The strike duo of Kean and Mateo Retegui both had efforts in the opening 45 minutes, and Bastoni headed over from a corner as Italy failed to breach a resolute defence. Italy were second best at the start of the second half but, just as the game opened up and Retegui spurned a huge opportunity, Tonali's thundering drive from the edge of the area released the tension that had been building in Bergamo. Ex-Everton striker Kean was twice denied by the impressive Charles, but he finally got the better of the Sheffield Wednesday keeper when he cut inside Mc Conville and finished off the post with 10 minutes remaining. Northern Ireland's Ethan Galbraith challenges Federico Dimarco of Italy O'Neill's side put in a spirited performance but, without key players such as Bradley, Ballard and Mc Cann, an upset in Italy was a step too far. Speaking pre-match, O'Neill had said his squad were "ahead of where we probably expected him to be", and the loss, while it will undoubtedly sting now the age profile, and the manner of the performance, bodes well for the future. Paddy Mc Nair was the only player over the age of 24 in their starting line-up. That was what made the discipline in their performance so impressive, but a lack of a clinical edge in crucial moments were the difference. Midway through the first half Galbraith failed to pick out the run of Price, and Northern Ireland's threat from set-pieces was lacking. It was only when the game opened up did the Italians pose a real threat, and in a moment which got the crowd back into the game, Terry Devlin's misjudged backpass allowed Retegui through on goal but a heavy touch allowed Charles to come to the rescue. Tonali's opener was a crucial and gave Italy all the momentum, and Price's clearance fell perfectly for the midfielder, who showed his class with a superb volleyed finish. At the other end, Donnarumma's weak pass almost gifted Donley an opportunity but he could not get the ball out of his feet, and, as Northern Ireland pressed forward Italy looked to finish the tie. Hume had to head over a cross from under his own crossbar, and Kean's spectacular effort flashed wide of the post before the Fiorentina forward put the game beyond doubt. Northern Ireland's final-third struggles were summed up when Jamie Reid could not convert from close range in injury time, and as the Italian celebrations at full-time were deafening, the visitors were left to reflect on what could have been. The players looked dejected as they applauded the travelling support in Bergamo, and eyes will swiftly move to the future for this young group. This video can not be played 'The players gave everything' - O'Neill proud despite defeat to Italy After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Manager: Gennaro Gattuso Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: Michael O'Neill Formation: 5 - 4 - 1 Manager: Gennaro Gattuso Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: Michael O'Neill Formation: 5 - 4 - 1 To watch and listen, you need to enable Java Script in your browser. Sportsound: Italy v Northern Ireland. BBC Radio Ulster. Audio Sportsound: Italy v Northern Ireland BBC Radio Ulster Connor Phillips - Live from Bergamo. BBC Radio Ulster. Audio Connor Phillips - Live from Bergamo BBC Radio Ulster FIFA World Cup Qualifying - European All competitions All competitions All competitions Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.