Italy v North Macedonia – European champions bid to boost Euro 2024 qualification hopes with victory in Rome

Job done for Italy. They win 5-2 and need a point against Ukraine on Monday to book their place at Euro 2024 in Germany next summer.

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.

Gianluca Scamacca clips a shot over the bar after Acerbi picks up a booking for the home side. So close to a fifth on the break.

Raspadori is grounded by Serafimov, who is the fifth player to be booked alongside North Macedonia manager Blagoja Milevski.

The night was threatening to get out of hand until that Raspadori finish.

Milan Ristovski has been yellow carded for a spot of dissent. Frustrations boiling over.

Stefan Ashkovski and Darko Churlinov have both picked up bookings for foul play. Almost game over for North Macedonia you would think now.

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.

Italy really want to produce some sound moments on the pitch to finish this match off. Anxiety is sweeping through the home fans, who didn't see this coming.

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!

Goes to Nicolò Zaniolo for a spot of dissent in kicking the ball away. A spot of old school frustration.

But Dimarco can't pick out the run of Raspadori inside the North Macedonia box. That was better from the Azzurri.

Trying to encourage their side to come up with another goal to ease the nerves. Not as plain sailing this half as it looked at the break.

Plenty of pressure being applied to the Italy defence, but the attacking intent ends with Alimi thumping a shot well wide of the target.

isnik Alimi is on for Agon Elezi.

It is a three-way hit for the Azzurri as Davide Frattesi replaces Giacomo Bonaventura, Bryan Cristante is on for Jorginho and Nicolò Zaniolo replaces Federico Chiesa.

Italy looking secure enough in their shape, but would dearly love another goal to quell the spirits of North Macedonia, who have certainly come to life a bit after that goal.

The Juventus player earns his side a corner with some more great and tireless play out wide, but the red shirts are back to do the clearing work.

Wouldn't fancy being among the home fans if North Macedonia can unearth a second goal here.