Italy is officially one game away from ending 12 years of World Cup heartbreak. In a high-stakes semi-final in Bergamo last night, the Azzurri secured a gritty 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland, booking their place in the Path A Play-off Final.
After missing out on the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, the pressure in the Stadio di Bergamo was suffocating. But for Gennaro Gattuso’s men, this wasn’t about style—it was about survival.
Second-Half Surge Breaks the Deadlock
The first half was a nervy affair, with Northern Ireland’s disciplined low block frustrating an Italian side that looked haunted by the “ghosts of playoffs past.” Mateo Retegui missed a golden one-on-one opportunity, and for 45 minutes, the nightmare of another qualification failure loomed large.
However, the deadlock was finally shattered in the 56th minute. A weak clearance from the visitors fell perfectly for Sandro Tonali, who unleashed an unstoppable first-time rocket from the edge of the area. The “Thunderbolt in Bergamo” didn’t just give Italy the lead; it released a decade’s worth of tension across the country.
Moise Kean put the result beyond doubt in the 80th minute, cutting inside his marker and firing a precise low shot off the post and in.
The Final Boss: Bosnia and Herzegovina
The job isn’t done yet. While Italy handled their business, Bosnia and Herzegovina pulled off a shocker, eliminating Wales on penalties in the other semi-final.
Now, the equation is simple: Italy must travel to Zenica on Tuesday, March 31, to face Bosnia in a winner-takes-all final. If the Azzurri win, they book their tickets to the 2026 World Cup in North America. If they slip up, the 12-year drought extends to 16.
Gattuso: “We Have No Other Choice”
Speaking after the match, a visibly relieved Gennaro Gattuso was quick to keep feet on the ground.
“It was a struggle, this was not easy at all,” Gattuso told RAI Sport. “We were too slow in the first half, but we moved the ball quicker after the break. Now we go together into this final. We have to win. We have no other choice.”
