Italy stay in World Cup hunt as Wales, Ireland suffer penalty heartbreak

Italy kept their 2026 World Cup dreams alive with a commanding 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland on Thursday, booking a play-off final showdown against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The win, forged by an efficient performance, means the Azzurri are one step away from securing a place on football’s biggest stage.

Elsewhere on a dramatic night of European qualifying, Wales and the Republic of Ireland both bowed out in gut-wrenching fashion, losing their respective semi-final ties via penalty shootouts. The twin exits underline the razor-thin margins of knockout football and leave the two nations reflecting on what might have been.

Italy will now prepare for a winner-takes-all clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina, knowing a single victory stands between them and a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.