Italy 5-2 North Macedonia – Federico Chiesa double boosts Azzurri's Euro 2024 qualification hopes with big win in Rome
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Updated 17/11/2023 at 22:37 GMT
Italy stepped up the efforts to reach Euro 2024 next summer with a big win over North Macedonia at the Stadio Olimpico. Goals from Matteo Darmian and a Federico Chiesa brace put the Azzurri in control and despite a fightback in the second half from the visitors, Giacomo Raspadori and Stephan El Shaarawy restored the healthy advantage to secure the key three points.
Federico Chiesa celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group C football match between Italy and North Macedonia at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on November 17, 2023. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)
Image credit: Getty Images
Federico Chiesa hit a superb double as European champions Italy were forced to battle past North Macedonia to claim a nervy 5-2 Euro 2024 qualifying win in Rome.
The Azzurri only need a point against Ukraine in Leverkusen on Monday to claim their place at the finals in Germany as runners-up in Group C behind England, but were given a huge scare by the nation who ousted them from the 2022 World Cup last year in a play-off qualifier.
The Juventus forward Chiesa helped himself to two goals in the closing moments of a one-sided first half at a packed Stadio Olimpico with a thumping shot from the edge of the box and a deflected effort finding the net to give his side a seemingly unassailable 3-0 lead.
Matteo Darmian had headed Luciano Spalletti's side in front on 17 minutes before Jorginho saw a poor penalty saved by Stole Dimitrievski seconds before Chiesa struck his double blow.
Yet the game was not over as a header from visiting substitute Jani Atanasov on 52 minutes breathed new life into North Macedonia, who held Italy to a 1-1 qualifying home draw in September and suddenly sensed a remarkable recovery when Atanasov's hopeful shot then deflected into the home net on 74 minutes.
But late goals from Giacomo Raspadori (81') and Stephan El Shaarawy (90'+3') settled the nerves for the Azzurri players and fans, who breathed a huge collective sigh of relief in moving ahead of Ukraine into second place in Group C with one match remaining.
Talking point - Will Italy qualify for the finals?
This was a real mixed bag from the European champions, who somehow contemplated blowing a 3-0 half-time lead before they rallied late on to give the scoreline a slightly flattering finish.
They were magnificent in the first half, but really toiled to find their groove for large swathes of the second period at a tension-ridden Stadio Olimpico.
Of course, they have more than enough quality to earn the draw they need against Ukraine on Monday, but they need to find a more complete performance under Spalletti.
Forty five minutes of brilliance followed by a slipshod showing in the second half might not be enough in Leverkusen on Monday.
It certainly won't be good enough if they return to Germany to defend their European title next summer.
Man of the match - Federico Chiesa (Italy)
Seemed to suffer a heavy knock to his knee in the opening minutes, but did not let that dampen his enthusiasm.
Worked tirelessly for his team and deserved his two goals in the first half before being taken off around the hour mark.
Spalletti will hope he is fit to face Ukraine on Monday for the energy, class and pride in performance he brings to the European champions.
Player ratings
Italy: Donnarumma 6, Darmian 7, Gatti 7, Acerbi 7, Dimarco 7; Barella 7, Jorginho 6, Bonaventura 6; Berardi 7, Raspadori 7, Chiesa 8 Subs: Scamacca 6, Cristante 6, Frattesi 6, Zaniolo 6, El Shaarawy 7
North Macedonia: Dimitrievski 8, Manev 6, Serafimov 6, Musliu, 6 Dimoski 6, Elezi 6, Ademi 6, Alioski 6; Bardhi 6; Elmas 6, Miovski 6 Subs: Ashkovski 6, Churlinov 6, M Ristovski 6, Atanasov 7
Match highlights
17' GOAL FOR ITALY! Finally Italy make the pressure count as Matteo Darmian arrives at the back post unmarked to head home the Raspadori cross seconds after Chiesa had a shot blocked. They lead 1-0.
40' JORGINHO MISSES THE PENALTY! A dreadful penalty from the Italy midfielder. Dimitrievski with a comfortable save low to his left to make the stop.
41' GOAL FOR ITALY! A second goal for the home side as Chiesa drives the ball into the corner of the net from outside the box seconds after Jorginho missed the penalty. Nicolò Barella playing provider. They are 2-0 ahead. Brilliant finish.
45+2' A THIRD GOAL FOR ITALY! Some more stunning forward play by Chiesa as he bounds into the visiting box. Ball takes a huge deflection off Manev before looping up and landing in the net. And that is 3-0 to the European champions.
52' GOAL FOR NORTH MACEDONIA! Jani Atanasov rises unmarked to power a header into the net with Italy caught napping from a shot corner. Ezgjan Alioski with a lovely cross. 3-1 to Italy as Rome is stunned.
74' A SECOND GOAL FOR THE VISITORS! Atanasov slams a hopeful shot at goal from long range. Comes off Francesco Acerbi with a wicked deflection before nestling in the net. No chance for Donnarumma. It is 3-2. Would you believe this!
81' GOAL FOR ITALY! A brilliant finish by Giacomo Raspadori to spin away from the red shirts and wallop a left-footed shot low into the corner of the net. Just what Italy needed. They lead 4-2.
90+3' AND THERE IS THE FIFTH ITALY GOAL! Stephan El Shaarawy with a sweeping finish for the fifth for the home side. That is a 5-2 lead. Game, set and match. In the end. Federico Dimarco with the cutback.
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