Italy are guaranteed at least a play-off for EURO 2024 thanks to winning their Nations League group, but still have every chance of securing an automatic qualifying spot.
Group C is increasingly tight and complicated after today’s results, which saw England held to a 1-1 draw by Ukraine and the Azzurri playing the same result in North Macedonia.
Because Italy were in the Nations League Final Four in June, they have only played three fixtures in this group, compared to five for England.
Gareth Southgate’s men are top with 13 points from five games played, followed by Ukraine with seven points from four matches.
Italy have four points after three games, while North Macedonia are also on four points, but having already played four times.
Malta bring up the rear, losing all four outings.
The top two automatically qualify for the EURO 2024 tournament and there is still every chance Italy will secure one of those spots.
If they do not, then there is the safety net of knowing they are already guaranteed a place in the play-offs, granted to them by winning their Nations League group last year.
That means if the worst comes to the worst, the Nazionale will be one of 12 teams in the play-offs, with three nations eventually earning their place at the tournament in Germany.
Like the 2022 World Cup, the play-offs are divided into a semi-final and a final.