💥 Explore this must-read post from BBC Sport 📖
📂 Category:
💡 Main takeaway:
Global rankings: Ninth World Cup qualifying group: Second behind Norway Last World Cup: 2014
Given their history and standing in international football, it is astonishing to think that Italy have not participated in a World Cup since 2014 in Brazil.
However, the four-time champions are in danger of missing out on a third successive global tournament, as they finished second in Group I behind Erling Haaland’s Norway, who automatically qualified for the finals.
Their campaign was bookended by two defeats to Norway, including a dismal 4-1 loss in Milan to end their campaign last week.
But despite their form, the Italians will still be the team everyone wants to avoid in the qualifiers, and they are the highest-ranked team by a wide margin.
Northern Ireland last played Italy in 2021, and have already played a role in their World Cup exit in Qatar, where a goalless draw in Belfast meant Roberto Mancini’s side missed out on first place and direct qualification, and North Macedonia stunned them in the qualifiers.
Domenico Berardi and Ciro Immobile scored a 2-0 winner in the second leg of that season, which opened Group D in March of that year.
⚡ What do you think?
#️⃣ #World #Cup #Northern #Ireland #face #qualifiers
