Italy host North Macedonia in Rome on March 24 for the semi-final of the World Cup 2022 play-off and the Azzurri have the upper hand statistically.

North Macedonia qualified for the play-offs with two big wins against Armenia and Iceland in the two games in November, when Italy failed to pick up more than two points in their games against Switzerland and Northern Ireland.

Italy are again unbeaten in the qualifiers under Roberto Mancini, who helped the Azzurri pick up a perfect record in the EURO 2020 qualifiers and then guided the Nazionale to the trophy over the summer.

North Macedonia lost twice in the group stage, but stunned Germany in the first leg with a 2-1 win away from home.

The reverse fixture against the Germans ended in a 4-0 defeat and the other loss arrived in the first fixture against Romania on March 25 2021.

North Macedonia were unseeded in the draw and have to travel to the Olimpico for the semi-final of the World Cup play-offs in March 2022, and the winner will take on either Turkey or Portugal in the Final.

The two sides played against each other in the World Cup Qualifiers in 2016-17, when Italy qualified for the play-offs but didn’t succeed to book a ticket to Russia 2018.

Spain finished first in Group G of the European World Cup Qualifiers in 2016-17, when North Macedonia ended fifth out of six teams in the table.

Since then, Macedonia have participated in the European Championship 2020 and have produced great results on the road to Qatar 2022.

The last match between the two sides at the Olimpico ended in a 1-1 draw on October 10, 2017, then Giorgio Chiellini scored Italy’s goal.

The first match between the two sides in the World Cup Qualifiers for Russia 2018, ended in a 3-2 win at the Tose Proeski Arena.

Andrea Belotti scored the opener, prior to Udinese attacker Ilija Nestorovski, who then played at Palermo, scored the equaliser.

North Macedonia turned the match around through Ferhan Hasani, before Lazio star Ciro Immobile turned won Italy the game with a brace towards the end.

 

H2H: Italy vs. North Macedonia

 

North Macedonia 2-3 Italy

October 9, 2016, at Tose Proeski Arena

Goals: Belotti 24 (I), Nestorovski 57 (NM), Hasani 59 (NM), Immobile 75, 90+1 (I)

North Macedonia (5-3-2): Bogatinov; Ristovski, Mosjov, Shikov, Ristevski, Zuta (Ibraimi 46); Hasani (Trajchevski 84), Spirovski, Alioski; Pandev, Nestorovski (Petrovikj 68)

Italy (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Romagnoli; Candreva, Bernardeschi (Sansone 64), Verratti, Bonaventura (Parolo 64), De Sciglio; Belotti (Eder 84), Immobile

 

Italy 1-1 North Macedonia

October 6, 2017, at the Stadio Olimpico

Goals: Chiellini 40 (I), Trajkovski 77 (NM)

Italy (3-4-3): Buffon; Barzagli (Rugani 46), Bonucci, Chiellini; Zappacosta, Parolo, Gagliardini (Cristante 75), Darmian; Verdi (Bernardeschi 64), Immobile, Insigne

North Macedonia (3-5-2): Dimitrievski; Ristovski, Musliu, Velkovski (Zajkov 75); Radeski, Spirovski, Hasani (Trajovski 64), Bardhi, Alioski; Pandev (Trichkovski 80), Nestorovski

16 thought on “World Cup Qualifiers | H2H: Italy vs. North Macedonia”
  1. @ Mike – yeah they will. They will crush both and beat Portugal at home 2-0. Thanks for the vote of confidence. Take you negativity elsewhere! have a little faith..qualifying and group stage action never their strong suit historically. This is a team of big players who get up for BIG games. Sorry but Swiss and Ireland, even with the qualifying on the line just isn’t enough to jar a reaction. I’m taking names of all of you who rant around here and doubt this team. I will serve you some pasta later on.

  2. Home advantage is over-rated….how can anyone forget how Italy won WC2006 or Euro 2020? No home advantages there. I see no major problems whoever Italy face, they should easily take care of a weaker Portuguese side but would definitely struggle against a more formidable Turkey squad.

  3. @ManCity Rules…

    Ideally, yes. Correct. However,

    1. Italy did not convert penalties in Switerland nor in Italy. Italy should have won in Switerland during group qualification. How can we possibly play Portugal or Turkey away and win? That’s presuming we get by N. Macedonia in Rome which is not a certain result, either.

  4. Matt I like your optimism but you think they will crush Portugal in Lisbon with players like the mighty di lorenzo and acerbi in the back ? Sorry I am not negative but realistic . This team got a little arrogant after t hey won euro mocking English and dying their hair blonde and now look at them . Bunch of dummies . And yes remember my name I will be right

  5. Macedonia will park the bus, the game will end in a tie and Italy will eek out a win in a shoot-out. This game is 4 months away. I can feel the tension now.

  6. Thank God Matt you have said the correct thing. This Mike must not be on this website. I have never met someone as negative as this chap. I would have been very angry if someone like this Mike was playing in my team. Half full glass, I would say its an understatement. Gee, we haven’t even play and already out on it. Let the game take place and then we will see but we must always be positive. Anyway, well done Matt for being appreciative of our National Team and great answer to this negative individual.

  7. I believe it will come down to the stars stepping up. Italy has the edge with goal tending and that will make the difference. I respect all four teams. But would the world cup be without Italy and Portugal two world powers in the soccer world and full of drama, i luv it!!
    FORZA AZZURI!!!!

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