Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from the final 2022 World Cup qualifier, as Italy need a victory in Northern Ireland and to keep an eye on Switzerland’s result with Bulgaria.
It kicks off at Windsor Park in Belfast at 19.45 GMT.
The Azzurri are currently joint top of the group with Switzerland, ahead only on goal difference at +11 compared to +9, so they need to match the other result and hope to maintain the superior goal difference.
If they are level on goal difference, Switzerland have the upper hand thanks to more away goals in their head-to-head record.
It won’t be easy, as Italy have never won in Belfast, emerging with two draws and a very costly 2-1 defeat in 1958, which ruled them out of the World Cup.
Northern Ireland have not conceded a single goal in home fixtures throughout the group, but are fresh from a 1-0 win over Lithuania, their first victory here in two-and-a-half years.
It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when we’re now worried about beating Northern Ireland (all respect to all teams of course – every match has it’s unique issues). However, we had to beat much higher regarded teams at the Euro’s, right? So why are we here? I guess, because perhaps, the charade is over? Perhaps the truth is really out there now ? Seems the game is up – and teams have worked us out – well, worked out the Mancini style in any case. Teams have worked out Spain too, but they have such a high skill level – they can still score! It seems we just cover cracks, the GIANT cracks that we cannot score goals! We just convert when really needed. We just need the boys to pay their passing game and to avoid getting caught up in the occasion ! Forza Azzurri !
Jorghino has cost us automatic qualification 🤬
Disgrace and embarrassment. Should never have come to this. Dreadful display against Northern Ireland
The penalty miss last game killed us. To be there one second and then not the next was a hammer blow. It showed tonight because we were flat. We score early and the pressure is piled on the Swiss. I bet they can’t believe their luck – two pens against and two misses. The odd thing is we played well in those drawn games but tonight was dreadful. So, so flat. I hope for a lucky draw. Maybe we can exorcise some demons along the way.