Northern Ireland hold European champions Italy - as it happened

1. Use audio icon at top of the page
2. Result: Northern Ireland 0-0 Italy
3. Italy will be involved in play-offs in March after finishing second behind Switzerland in Group C
4. N Ireland go through the campaign without conceding a goal in their home games

CLOSE!

Berardi shows some great feet in the area and tees up Chiesa, who takes a touch but curls his shot from 10 yards the wrong side of the post.

That was close!

There's more good play from Northern Ireland in the visiting half but the Italians smother the green shirts and win the ball back.

Ruben Vargas has doubled Switzerland's lead just shy of the hour mark.

Top spot is looking good unless Italy can come up with something here!

GREAT SAVE!

Berardi has dusted himself down and strikes the free-kick. It's dipping over the wall but Bailey Peacock-Farrell is equal to it.

YELLOW CARD

Josh Magennis is booked for slapping the ball out of Berardi's hands after fouling the forward.

This is a good position for the visitors.

Roberto Mancini has suddenly become a lot more animated on the touchline.

Italy need a goal or Switzerland will automatically qualify for the World Cup and the European champions will slip into a play-off.

Big news! Switzerland have taken the lead against Bulgaria!

Noah Okafor has netted in the 48th minute.

Italy, it's over to you....

CLOSE!

Was that the chance?! George Saville forces a good save from Donnarumma!

Gavin Whyte finds Jamal Lewis at the back post with a brilliant ball and the left back pulls it back for Saville, who can't tuck it away from 10 yards.

That was a huge chance. It should be 1-0 to the hosts!

Lorenzo Insigne drags an effort across the face of goal from the edge of the area. No harm done.

Jorginho has Steven Davis posters in his bedroom, pass it on...

Italy win a free-kick deep in the Northern Ireland half as Ali McCann catches Emerson.

Jorginho tries to play it short but it goes out for a goal kick. Sums up their night so far.

KICK-OFF

Off we go! A big 45 minutes are ahead!

SUBSTITUTION

There's one change at the break for Italy as Bryan Cristante comes on for Sandro Tonali.

'Gameplan working well'

Jim Magilton

Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio Ulster

Northern Ireland's gameplan has worked very well but some of Italy's movement has been exceptional and I expect them to come out firing. NI are defensively disciplined and the three centre-halves are marshalling everyone. I think Roberto Mancini will have given them a rollicking at half-time. NI will have to play with more intensity and be more courageous in their passing.

NIFL Premiership Highlights

Watch the latest episode of the NIFL Premiership Highlights tonight on BBC Two NI and the BBC iPlayer.

If football is your thing then you will enjoy this!

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NIFL Premiership Highlights

Around the grounds

England and Scotland are both in action this evening and it's going to plan for both sides.

Harry Kane has netted a hat-trick as England lead San Marino 6-0 at the break, and, in a more surprising score, Scotland are ahead against Denmark thanks to John Soutter's header.

Three points will book England's place in Qatar while Scotland have already secured a play-off spot.

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'Everyone doing their jobs'

Keith Gillespie

Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio Ulster

All the Northern Ireland players are doing their job well. Italy have had a lot of possession but it has gone well so far from the home team's perspective. It's only half-time though and we have to keep doing that for another 45 minutes and the players will tire.

Here's some stats from the first half at Windsor Park.

The Italians have dominated possession, as expected, with 67% and have made a tidy 349 passes, compared to Northern Ireland's 100 completed passes.

More to come from the skipper?