PARMA. Italy got off to a good start in group C of the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers, beating Northern Ireland 2-0 at the Tardini in Parma thanks to goals from Berardi and Immobile. Everything is easy for the Azzurri, too superior to their opponents, who dominate the match from the very beginning and close the practice already in the first half and then drop in the second half without putting the final outcome of the match at risk. Chiellini and his teammates, who will return to the field on Sunday evening in Sofia against Bulgaria, respond to Switzerland who won 3-1 in Bulgaria in the other match of the group.
Mancini’s team got off to a strong start and nearly took the lead in the 10th minute with Immobile: cross behind Florenzi’s defense for the Lazio striker who stopped well but strangled the conclusion with his right in front of the goalkeeper. At 14 ‘the blue advantage arrives, to inspire Florenzi again with a nice vertical throw for Berardi who enters the area, approaches the goalkeeper and beats him from a tight angle. Shortly after, Immobile almost doubled. Another cut by the striker who hits the fly, but the goalkeeper blocks him out.
At 20 ‘chance for Emerson, still good Berardi who returns on the left-handed and crosses in the middle for the diving header of the Chelsea player: twist shot and ball out of the way. At 38 ‘the doubling of our national team arrives on the counterattack: Immobile runs away and with a dry left-handed he beats Peacock-Farrell, not exempt from blame, on his pole, signing the eleventh goal in the blue jersey.
At the start of recovery Immobile one step away from the brace: cross from the right by Insigne and header from close position of the attacker who does not just frame the mirror. At 11 ‘lightness of Italy and the first double opportunity for the guests. It all comes from a short ball by Locatelli for Donnarumma who, with his foot, blocks Whyte’s close attempt. The action continues with a cross to return for the insertion of Smith: conclusion on the fly, again rejected by the Rossoneri goalkeeper. At 23 ‘he returns to sting Italy with the personal action of Insigne (after an excellent starting point from Immobile), good in control and then protagonist of the classic movement to return for the right turn which, in this case, does not frame little door.
In the final part of the match the Azzurri, with their heads probably already in Sofia, drop in intensity and give their opponents another chance. Ball recovered in the area by Lavery who from the right hits low for the rushing McNair who kicks high from 10 meters. In full recovery Spinazzola is close to the three of a kind. Vertical launch of Immobile for the winger of Rome who on the exit of Peacock-Farrell hits with the tip of his right foot and puts the ball just outside.