That was an important block from Nadene Caldwell.

The midfielder took up a good position in the box to make sure the shot from the edge of the area didn't threaten Jackie Burns' goal.

Gail Redmond
Ex-Northern Ireland international on BBC Sport NI

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Seaview

Italy are definitely seeing more of the ball, but they aren't really doing anything with it.

A swarm of green shirts are immediately on the case for every touch, and when NI break forward you can tell the Italians are terrified of the pace of Lauren Wade down the middle.

There's a nice attacking feel to this game in the early stages.

End-to-end would be stretching it but the tempo is good for a friendly.

Northern Ireland edging their way into this match.

McKenna shows her strong running power down the right but her cross is cleared and comes to nothing.

Then, immediately after, captain Marissa Callaghan tries her luck with a neat left-foot curler but it's straight at the visiting keeper.

Italy keeper Laura Guiliani had to react quickly there to clear her lines after a bit of hesitation in her defence.

A wee sniff for Northern Ireland, that's all it's been so far.

You get the feeling Lauren Wade's pace in that unfamiliar central striking role is going to be important if Northern Ireland are going to hurt Italy tonight.

She won't stop running but hasn't had much to feed off so far.

The first corner of the night goes to Italy.

It was very strongly taken but none of the visiting team can get on the end of it.

A Federica Cafferata snapshot from just outside the box goes just wide of the Northern Ireland post.

That proved to be a bit more testing than it first looked like it might be.

Nothing comes of the NI free-kick and the ball is back with keeper Burns.

Quiet opening few minutes at Seaview.

Both teams feeling their way into the game, as Northern Ireland's Lauren Wade wins a free-kick in a decent position.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

Lauren Wade, who moved to Reading in the summer, has been given the task of playing centrally, while Emily Wilson is hugging the left touchline.

With Caragh Hamilton on the right, there's plenty of pace in that front three.

Gail Redmond
Ex-Northern Ireland international on BBC Sport

We're underway at Seaview.

Italy attacking the Shore Road end.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Seaview

Don't adjust your pictures, the NI jackets really are that white!

We'll not get to enjoy the Italian national anthem at the upcoming men's World Cup.

The iconic tune has just been played at Seaview, though. A classic.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Seaview

It feels strange to say it given five months have passed, but this is effectively Northern Ireland's homecoming after Euro 2022.

Actually, it's only a second home game of the entire year for Kenny Shiels' side, which is remarkable to think in itself.

Seaview is sold out and the Green and White Army, who were spectacular in Southampton, will be making plenty of noise in north Belfast, and there's no doubt the players will be looking to round out a year like no other on a high.

There is one potential debutant in the Northern Ireland squad this evening and that is Cliftonville's Fi Morgan.

The versatile 19-year-old can play in defence or midfield and met up with the senior panel having just helped her club to their first-ever Women's Premiership title defence.

Morgan was one of three changes to Kenny Shiels' squad, with club team-mates Danielle Maxwell and Kelsie Burrows making their returns.

Goalkeeper Lilie Woods, Lewes defender Ellie Mason and Cliftonville's Grace McKimm dropped out of the panel from September's final World Cup qualifiers.

Morgan has yet to make her senior debut but was called into the squad for a friendly with Scotland in June 2021. Winger Maxwell returns to the international set-up after missing Euro 2022 through injury and defender Burrows, who starts tonight, sat out September's qualifiers due to work commitments.

Image source, Press Eye

Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels has never shied away from taking on big nations in friendlies, saying he believes his players will learn more playing against stronger sides.

Here are some of his and captain Marissa Callaghan's thoughts ahead of tonight's meeting with Italy in Belfast.