Donnarumma's Italy left facing play-offs
An Italy side featuring Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma were held 0-0 by Northern Ireland on Monday in a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast.
The draw forced the Azzurri to settle for second place in Group C, two points behind Switzerland. They will now have to negotiate the play-offs to secure their World Cup ticket, with the draw scheduled for Friday 26 November.
NORTHERN IRELAND 0-0 ITALY (0-0)
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Qualifying phase - European Zone - Group C - Matchday 8
National Football Stadium at Windsor Park (Belfast)
NORTHERN IRELAND: Peacock-Farrell - Cathcart, Flanagan, J. Evans, Lewis - McCann, Davis, Saville (C. Evans, 72') - Dallas, Whyte (Washington, 72') - Magennis. Coach: Ian Baraclough.
ITALY: Donnarumma - Di Lorenzo, Bonucci (c), Acerbi, Emerson (Scamacca, 80') - Tonali (Cristante, 46'), Jorginho (Locatelli, 68'), Barella (Belotti, 64') - Berardi, Chiesa - Insigne (Bernardeschi, 68'). Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Group C standings in the European Zone qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022:
1. Switzerland / 18 points, +13 (8 games played)
2. Italy / 16 points, +11 (8 games played)
3. Northern Ireland / 9 points, -1 (8 games played)
4. Bulgaria / 8 points, -8 (8 games played)
5. Lithuania / 3 points, -15 (8 games played)