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

Jamal Lewis plays Lorenzo Insigne onside and he chests the ball back to Barella on the edge of the area, but the midfielder can't control his effort and it's well, well wide.

Elsewhere, It's still goalless in Lucerne between Switzerland and Bulgaria.

As it stands the Italians are booking their spot in Qatar.

Yes, and Italy are playing too...

Lewis in for a busy night

Mark Sterling

BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

Jamal Lewis could be in for a busy night.

Two or three times now Italy have looked for a diagonal ball in behind behind him for Domenico Berardi to get on to.

The Newcastle United man will need to be alive to that, but it doesn't like it is curbing his attacking intent as he is still looking to get forward when he can.

The Italians' passing has been crisp, mostly one or two-touch, but Northern Ireland are looking solid so far.

Nicolo Barella has a pop from 25 yards but it's straight down the throat of Peacock-Farrell.

Steven Davis sends Sandro Tonali back to AC Milan with a neat Cruyff turn just outside the area.

CLOSE!

Jamal Lewis is caught again and Berardi hooks the ball towards the back post.

Tom Flanagan looks like he is all the time in the world to clear the ball but he doddles and Federico Chiesa races in and it's into the side netting.

That's a let off for Northern Ireland.

The anthem really did set the tone and the GAWA have carried the noise into the game.

For context, the coat was on for the Italian anthem and there was a huge cheer when the full Northern Ireland kit was on show.

Parful.

Ali McCann whips in the free kick but Tom Flanagan heads over the top. This is good stuff from the hosts so far.

YELLOW CARD

Sandro Tonali goes into the book after hauling down Gavin Whyte as Northern Ireland broke from the resulting Italian corner.

That was a great run and that is exactly why he is in the team.

GREAT SAVE!

Jamal Lewis is caught napping and Di Lorenzo nips in behind. It's a tight angle but he tries his luck from 10 yards, and thankfully for Northern Ireland Bailey Peacock-Farrell is equal to it and produces a brilliant save to tip it round the post.

Now that's a set up!

George Saville wins a free kick in the centre of the park after some neat work by Josh Magennis.

It's played long but Stuart Dallas blows on Emerson's shoulder and he hits the deck like a ton of bricks.

How big is Northern Ireland's task this evening?

The Italians have only lost once in their last 40 outings – that included a world record 37-match unbeaten run and a European Championship.

It's a biggie!

The visitors win an early corner....but Ali McCann hooks it clear.

Northern Ireland are seeing plenty of the ball in the early stages.

Don't forget, the pressure is all on the Italians this evening with World Cup qualification on the line.

We'll also have goal updates form Switzerland's game with Bulgaria.

KICK-OFF

Steven Davis gets us rolling in Belfast.

Will tonight be one of those famous, famous nights?

That was some rendition of the anthems. Hairs on the back of the neck stuff.

Magic, that's set the tone.

Here come the teams!

Steven Davis leads out the hosts to the chants of 'Green and White Army!'.

Team News

Here's a reminder of tonight's teams. Can Northern Ireland produce an almighty upset?

Northern Ireland:Peacock-Farrell, Dallas, Flanagan, J Evans, Cathcart, Lewis, Saville, Davis (capt), McCann, Whyte, Magennis.

Subs: Hazard, Southwood, Bradley, McGinn, Washington, Taylor, Ferguson, C Evans, Jones, Galbraith, Brown.

Italy:Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Emerson, Tonali, Jorginho, Barella, Berardi, Insigne, Chiesa.

Subs: Meret, Cragno, Zappacosta, Ferrari, Locatelli, Scamacca, Belotti, Pessina, Cristante, Bernardeschi, Raspadori, Mancini.