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

Match of the Day Northern Ireland

Watch the highlights of the World Cup qualifier between Northern Ireland and Italy on BBC One NI and the BBC iPlayer tonight.

Even if it all goes belly up after the restart you can still enjoy the first 45 minutes.

BBC Sport

Match of the Day Northern Ireland

Evans in charge at the back for NI

Mark Sterling

BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

That's a good half for Northern Ireland.

Marshalled superbly by the ever-composed Jonny Evans at the back, they have stuck rigidly to their 5-3-2 shape and thwarted the waves of Italian attacks they have had to face.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell has had to stay alive and make a few good saves, but nothing you wouldn't expect him to deal with.

Ian Baraclough has looked animated throughout on the touchline - he and his players will no doubt enjoy the half-time breather.

As it stands a draw is good enough for Italy. It's also goalless between Switzerland and Bulgaria at half-time, which puts the Italians in pole position to progress to Qatar.

A big 45 minutes awaits for both sides.

Getty Images

HALF-TIME

After a whole seven seconds of additional time the half-time whistle blows.

Northern Ireland have frustrated the European Champions and we're yet to have the breakthrough.

BBC Sport

HT Score: Northern Ireland 0-0 Italy

'Frustrated' Italians

John O'Neill

Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

The Italians are frustrated. Northern Ireland are comfortable at the moment. They are having to work hard but they are holding the line so well - reading the game well, closing players down and getting their tackles in when they need to. They are defending well but it is controlled defending.

It's a better delivery in from Ali McCann but the Italians easily clear. Two to go until half-time.

But the corner doesn't beat the man at the front post.

Northern Ireland win a free-kick when Insigne handles the ball. They'll get another go.

Jorginho, who I genuinely forgot was on the pitch, tries a backheel in his own corner but it goes out of play.

Corner Northern Ireland - the noise goes up!

Don't we all!

Five minutes to go until half-time.

GREAT SAVE!

Federico Chiesa breaks down the left and cuts inside the area. He fires in a low, powerful effort but Peacock-Farrell is equal to it and he keeps it out with his feet.

He'd drifted offside so it wouldn't have counted, but Peacock-Farrell wasn't to know that. Great stop.

It's coming straight back

Mark Sterling

BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

Northern Ireland are having to work very hard here.

Italy are so controlled in possession and, while they have not created that many chances, they are dragging the home players from one side to another.

Ian Baraclough's men look well drilled, but you wonder just how long they can keep the hard work up for.

Josh Magennis and Gavin Whyte are also having to drop deep at times, and when the ball does go up to them it's often coming straight back at the Northern Ireland defence.

But generally it's so far, so good for Northern Ireland.

Jonny Evans is under heavy pressure but, cool as you like, takes it down on his chest, flicks the ball over the shoulder of Chiesa and he turns away from the danger.

It's mad how good he is.

All Whyte on the night

Pacemaker

Sandro Tonali and Gavin Whyte battle for possession during the first half

Federico Chiesa will have to peel Stuart Dallas off his back after this one. He's barely had a sniff so far.

He shows some fancy footwork to get into the area, again shadowed by Dallas, and his weak effort is straight at Peacock-Farrell.

Not to jinx it, but with 30 minutes played it's so far, so good for Northern Ireland.

The problem with Josh Magennis playing up front on his own is he can't get on the end of his monstrous throw-ins.

Stuart Dallas has a go but the visitors easily clear.

Craig Cathcart concedes a corner on the far side.

The Italians try one off the training ground but Peacock-Farrell is up and grabs the ball with ease when it eventually comes in.

The GAWA bringing the noise.

Pacemaker