Roma –
Italia defeat Makedonia Utara 5-2 in 2024 European Cup Qualification. This result opens up Gli Azzurri’s chances to qualify directly for Germany.
Playing at the Olimpico, Saturday (18/11/2023) early morning WIB, Italy opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Matteo Darmian completed Giacomo Raspadori’s cross with a header to beat the visiting goalkeeper, Stole Dimitrievski.
Italy received a penalty in the 41st minute after Nikola Serafimov was declared handball in the forbidden box, and this decision was confirmed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). However, Dimitrievski managed to block Jorginho’s execution.
But North Macedonia’s joy did not last long. Italy, who picked up a loose ball, built another attack and Federico Chiesa successfully doubled the score with a long-range shot not long after.
Italy closed the first half with a score of 3-0. Chiesa scored his second goal in this match after completing Domenico Berardi’s pass.
After the break, North Macedonia tried to recover. Jani Atanasov managed to find the back of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal with a header in the 52nd minute after taking advantage of a corner kick. The 24 year old midfielder added another goal in the 74th minute.
His long-range shot hit Francesco Acerbi’s body before moving into the left corner of the Italian goal, outwitting Donnarumma who had moved to the right first. The score is 2-3. The pressure is getting bigger for Italy.
However, they managed to add another goal to make it 4-2 after Raspadori scored in the 81st minute. Receiving Nicolo Barella’s breakthrough pass, the Napoli striker dribbled the ball briefly then fired a left-footed shot to beat Dimitrievski.
Stephan El Shaarawy closed this match with a score of 5-2 in second half injury time. The Egyptian player received Federico Dimarco’s bait, then fired a low shot into the right corner of the North Macedonia goal.
This result brought Italy up to second place in Group C with 13 points from 7 matches, ahead of Ukraine head-to-head who have the same points. The two teams will meet next week to determine who will qualify directly for Euro 2024.
Meanwhile, North Macedonia is in fourth place with 7 points from 7 matches, and has definitely missed the tournament in Germany next year.
Lineup
Italia: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matteo Darmian, Federico Gatti, Francesco Acerbi, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella, Jorginho (Bryan Cristante 62′), Giacomo Bonaventura (Davide Frattesi 62′), Domenico Berardi (Stephan El Shaarawy 76′), Giacomo Raspadori (Gianluca Scamacca 90′), Federico Chiesa (Nicolo Zaniolo 62′).
Macedonia North: Stole Dimitrievski, Visar Musliu, Nikola Serafimov, Jovan Manev (Stefan Ashkovski 46′), Ezgjan Alioski, Arijan Ademi (Jani Atanasov 46′), Agon Elezi (Isnik Alimi 64′), Bojan Dimovski, Enis Bardhi, Eljif Elmas (Darko Churlinov 72′), Bojan Miovski (Milan Ristovski 46′).
(adp/ran)
2023-11-17 21:57:27
#Italy #North #Macedonia #Gli #Azzurri #win #landslide
