Italy kept their hopes of qualifying for their first World Cup in 12 years alive with a gritty win over Northern Ireland, while the Socceroos have been given a frightening glimpse of what could await after the penultimate round of fixtures in European qualifying.
The Azzurri missed the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, and even accounting for the World Cup’s controversial expansion to 48 teams, could not seal an automatic berth for this year’s edition in North America, forcing them down the treacherous play-off route.
Their 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Bergamo was hardly convincing, reflective of a team that has regressed significantly compared to their reputation – but it was enough to set up a do-or-die clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday (AEDT), with the winner to progress to the World Cup. Bosnia and Herzegovina relied on a penalty shoot-out to beat Wales.
Sandro Tonali broke the deadlock with a half-volley early in the second half and then set up another goal for Moise Kean with 10 minutes to go, though the four-time world champions had to survive a late onslaught from the visitors, whose bid to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1986 ended in disappointment.
And while the relief was palpable for coach Gennaro Gattuso and his players at the full-time whistle, they will now need to travel and win again to secure qualification.
“After taking the lead, we cleared our minds,” Gattuso said.
“We put in a good performance. This should be a confidence boost … We have to win. We have no other choice.”
Crystal Palace star Brennan Johnson, who scored the winning goal for Tottenham Hotspur in last year’s Europa League final, put his penalty for Wales over the bar. Neco Williams then failed to convert Wales’ next penalty, setting up their 5-3 shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, who have made the World Cup only once.
Ireland’s dream was also dashed by Czechia in a penalty shootout, with Finn Azaz and Alan Browne missing their final two spot kicks to lose 4-3. Scores were locked at 2-2 in that match after extra time.
The countries who prevailed on Friday morning (AEDT) were Turkey, Denmark, Poland, Kosovo and Sweden, eliminating Romania, North Macedonia, Albania, Slovakia and Ukraine, respectively.
Six nations will secure qualification when the play-offs conclude next week, joining the 42 other teams who have already confirmed their spots at the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Four of those six will come from UEFA, and one of them – either Turkey or Kosovo – will land in Group D, alongside the Socceroos, Paraguay and the United States.
Turkey will be hot favourites to progress and reach the World Cup for the first time since 2002, but they needed a moment of absolute magic from Real Madrid star Arda Guler to squeeze past Romania with a 1-0 win in Istanbul.
Guler produced a superb, defence-splitting long ball in the 53rd minute to pick out Ferdi Kadioglu, who controlled and finished calmly to score what proved to be the decisive goal.
He said the move had been discussed in the dressing room at half-time as Turkey looked to break down Romania’s defensive block.
“We discussed the goal at the halftime break. I would get the ball and Ferdi would make a run into the penalty box. It happened exactly how we planned it,” Guler told Turkish broadcaster TV8.
Meanwhile, Graham Arnold’s Iraq will square off against Bolivia next week for the chance to make their first World Cup appearance since 1986. Bolivia came from behind with two goals in eight minutes late in the second half to beat Suriname 2-1; now either they or Iraq will join France, Senegal and Norway in Group I.
New Caledonia and Jamaica will face off later on Friday (2pm AEDT) in the other intercontinental play-off semi-final, with the winner of that match to face DR Congo.
with Reuters, AP
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