Sandro Tonali was able to resume light training earlier this week, the Newcastle United midfielder having been injured against Barcelona eight days ago in the Champions League match, forcing him to miss the Sunderland derby at the weekend.
Essential to Italy, he was able to start for them on Thursday night in Bergamo.
A must win World Cup semi-final play-off against Northern Ireland.
A brilliant performance followed, Sandro Tonali man of the match.
The United midfielder bossing the game and whilst a dominant first half brought no goals, ten minutes after the break Goal reporting it as a “ground-to-air missile” as Sandro Tonali volleyed Italy in front.
The Newcastle star then with ten minutes to go, providing an assist for Moise Kean to finish Northern Ireland off with the second goal.
Sandro Tonali then subbed off to save his legs as Italy progress to their World Cup play-off final.
Announcing Sandro Tonali as their man of the match, Goal reporting: “Came close to opening the scoring after just a few minutes with a header that went just wide of the post. He roamed across the entire midfield, overlapping and looking for passing options in the final third. Quick to make himself available on the edge of the box, it took him just ten minutes in the second half to unleash the ground-to-air missile that put Italy 1-0 up. Last but not least, he conjured up a long ball that became the assist for Kean.”
Italy will now play Bosnia-Herzegovina (who beat Wales on penalties tonight) next Tuesday in a winner takes all World Cup play-off final.
Advantage Italy!
Sandro Tonali with a thunderous opener for the hosts 🚀#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/d85EmorpEY
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) March 26, 2026
This is the March 2026 international schedule for Newcastle United players:
Wednesday 25 March
Bermuda 0 DR Congo 2 (Friendly)
Yoane Wissa scoring a 51st minute penalty, as DR Congo warm up for their all or nothing World Cup play-off match.
Thursday 26 March
Italy 2 Northern Ireland 0
A brilliant man of the match performance from Sandro Tonali, as he scored a quality volley to put Italy ahead in this World Cup play-off semi-final, then getting an assist for Moise Kean as his goal made sure of progress to the World Cup play-off final next Tuesday.
Denmark (Will Osula) v North Macedonia (World Cup play-off semi-final)
Ukraine v Sweden (Anthony Elanga) (World Cup play-off semi-final)
Friday 27 March
Switzerland v Germany (Nick Woltemade, Malick Thiaw) Friendly
England (Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Aaron Ramsdale) v Uruguay (Friendly)
Monday 30 March
Germany (Nick Woltemade, Malick Thiaw) v Ghana (Friendly)
Tuesday 31 March
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Italy (Sandro Tonali) World Cup play-off final
Czech Republic or Republic of Ireland v Denmark (Will Osula) World Cup play-off final (if Denmark defeat North Macedonia)
Poland or Albania v Sweden (Anthony Elanga) World Cup play-off final (if Sweden defeat Ukraine)
New Caledonia or Jamaica v DR Congo (Yoane Wissa) World Cup play-off final
England (Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Aaron Ramsdale) v Japan (Friendly)