The Azzurri had failed at the play-off stage in the past two WC qualifying campaigns, but their supporters didn’t appear fazed by past traumas as they created a crackling atmosphere in the build-up to kick-off in Bergamo.
The Italy players responded, and Federico Dimarco’s seventh-minute volley stung the palms of Pierce Charles – making his first international appearance for nine months – before captain Trai Hume blocked Tonali’s effort on the rebound.
Northern Ireland settled into the contest, though, and they successfully contained the four-time WC winners before the break, as the home players and fans grew increasingly frustrated.
Alessandro Bastoni glanced a near-post header over the crossbar four minutes before HT, and Charles made a routine save from Mateo Retegui in first-half stoppage time, but visiting manager Michael O’Neill will otherwise have been delighted with his side’s defensive discipline.
The visitors’ good work was almost undone eight minutes into the second half when Terry Devlin underhit a backpass, allowing Retegui to race through on goal, but Brodie Spencer showed excellent pace to get back and ease the striker off the ball.
Charles then made a sprawling save to deny Moise Kean as Italy upped the intensity, before the hosts finally broke through 11 minutes after half-time when Isaac Price’s clearing header went straight to Tonali, who thumped his fourth international goal low into the net.
The question now was whether Northern Ireland would have the quality to respond, having scored just seven times in their six previous qualifiers. However, it was Italy who looked more likely to score next, with Kean forcing Charles into another low save and Pio Esposito seeing a header cleared off the line by Hume.
Kean sent an overhead kick wide as Northern Ireland began to tire, and it was little surprise when the Fiorentina striker sealed victory 10 minutes from time, controlling Tonali’s looping cross and firing his 12th Italy goal into the net via the inside of the post.
That goal lifted the tension inside the New Balance Arena, as the Azzurri saw out their sixth win in seven matches under Gennaro Gattuso (L1).
Italy will face Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tuesday’s final for a place at this summer’s tournament in North America, while Northern Ireland – who are now winless in nine H2Hs (D2, L7) – see their wait for a first appearance at a WC since 1986 extended for at least another four years.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Sandro Tonali (Italy)
