Match Report
The table read 2nd (Italy, 18 pts) against 3rd (Northern Ireland, 9 pts), 9 points apart. The last five rounds placed Northern Ireland no better than 29th for form, against 3rd in the standings. Against a league average of 1.66 goals per team per game, Italy ran at 2.63 scored and 1.5 conceded, Northern Ireland at 1.17 and 1.
From the last five rounds, Italy held 12 points of 15 and Northern Ireland 6.
Gewiss Stadium staged the fixture, a ground that holds 23,439. Half-time and full-time told different stories: it was 0-0 at the break, before 2 more goals closed it at 2-0.
Goal scorers
Italy: Sandro Tonali (56'), Moise Kean (80')
Key stats
Possession: Italy 63% · Northern Ireland 37% · Total shots: 19-8 · On target: 8-1 · Corners: 12-3