The UEFA World Cup qualifying playoffs delivered drama once again, with 16 nations battling over two legs for a coveted spot in the 2026 tournament. Among them was Italy, holding its breath against Northern Ireland, but remaining alive in its quest to avoid repeating the heartbreak of missing out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The Azzurri will now face Bosnia and Herzegovina in a final round that also features Sweden versus Poland, Kosovo against Turkey, and Denmark versus the Czech Republic.
Italy’s journey continued with a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Bergamo, a match where they improved as it progressed. Sandro Tonali opened the scoring with a powerful strike from the edge of the area, and Moise Kean added a second to seal the win. Italy will now face Bosnia and Herzegovina next Tuesday, seeking a place at the World Cup that has eluded them since the 2014 edition. However, Roberto Mancini’s side will require to significantly improve their performance if they hope to contend for the title they won in 2006.
The qualifying path wasn’t without its surprises and compelling narratives. Iceland, with a population of just 335,000, previously made history by qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, demonstrating that success in international football isn’t solely determined by a nation’s size. This year’s playoffs have highlighted the unpredictable nature of the competition, with several teams exceeding expectations and others facing unexpected elimination.
Gattuso’s Italy dominated possession against Northern Ireland, but once again displayed a lack of creativity in attack, a recurring issue that has plagued the team in recent years. The goals eventually came through sheer persistence, leaving Italian fans focused on the upcoming clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina. That match will be a challenging encounter, as Bosnia and Herzegovina held their own against Wales, securing their place in the final round thanks to a goal from Edin Dzeko and a subsequent penalty shootout victory.
Lewandowski and Gyokeres Pursue World Cup Dreams
The night held the potential for a final World Cup appearance for Robert Lewandowski, 37, but his dream remains alive, at least for now. Poland overcame Albania with a comeback victory fueled by their star players. Albania took the lead through Hoxha in the first half, but Poland responded with a header from Lewandowski off a corner kick and a stunning strike from Zielinski, turning the tide at the National Stadium in Warsaw.
Poland will face Sweden in the next phase, a team that appeared to have few difficulties in their own playoff path. Sweden convincingly defeated Ukraine 3-1 at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring a hat trick to lead the way.
Güler Shines as Turkey Faces Kosovo
Turkey also took a step closer to World Cup qualification, defeating Romania 1-0 at the Tupras Stadium in Istanbul. The match saw Turkey dominate for much of the game, but they struggled to break the deadlock until Ferdi Kadioglu scored in the second half. The goal was a product of Turkey’s emerging talent, with a precise assist from Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler setting up Kadioglu for the winner.
Turkey’s victory eliminated Romania, and they will now face Kosovo in the next round. Kosovo has emerged as a serious contender, defeating Slovakia 3-4 away from home in a thrilling match. They demonstrated resilience and attacking prowess, overcoming a 2-1 deficit to secure their place in the final playoff stage.
Denmark Looks Strong
The Parken Stadium in Copenhagen witnessed a dominant performance from Denmark, who cruised to a victory over North Macedonia in their World Cup qualifying playoff. Denmark struggled to break the deadlock in the first half, but they exploded after the break with a flurry of goals. Isaksen scored a brace, and Eriksen provided an assist in a performance that resonated with fans, six years after his near-fatal collapse at Euro 2020.
Denmark will now face the Czech Republic, who overcame a challenging match against Ireland. The Czech Republic fell behind 0-2 but fought back, with Patrik Schick converting a penalty to level the score. Krejci added a late goal to force a penalty shootout, which the Czechs ultimately won.
Italy’s path to the World Cup is far from guaranteed, but their victory over Northern Ireland keeps their hopes alive. The match against Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a crucial test, and Mancini’s team will need to rediscover their attacking spark to secure a spot at the tournament. The UEFA playoffs continue to provide compelling drama, with several nations battling for a place at the biggest stage in international football.
The next step for Italy is their crucial match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The date and venue for this match will be confirmed by UEFA in the coming days. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on team news and potential tactical changes as Mancini prepares his side for this pivotal encounter.
