Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland: Ian Baraclough’s side succumbed to an almost inevitable defeat

Northern Ireland were reminded just how tough their Qatar quest will be as Italy’s road to World Cup redemption got off to a routine start.

Ian Baraclough’s side succumbed to an almost inevitable defeat in their Group C opener in Parma against a team who have never lost a World Cup qualifier on home soil.

And Northern Ireland will know it will take an almighty effort to even match their efforts of the last two campaigns and reach the play-offs, with Switzerland also in their group and registering a win in Bulgaria last night.

Northern Ireland were reminded just how tough their Qatar quest will be during the Italy game

Ian Baraclough’s side succumbed to an almost inevitable defeat in their Group C opener

Defensive lapses cost the visitors in the first half, allowing ruthless forwards Domenico Berardi and Ciro Immobile to score.

And though Northern Ireland held their own against the four-time world champions after the break, Roberto Mancini’s men were always on track to stretch their unbeaten run to 23 games.

Northern Ireland lost their first World Cup qualification match, 2-0 to Italy on Thursday

Domenico Berardi (above) opened the scoring in the 14th minute of the game

Italy, of course, have a point to prove in this qualifying campaign having failed to reach Russia 2018 — the first time they had not reached the World Cup finals in 60 years.

Gian Piero Ventura was sacked after that shock play-off defeat to Sweden four years ago but Mancini has made the Azzurri a force to be reckoned with once more, qualifying for Euro 2020 with a 100 per cent record.

Such is their formidable form, this was always going to be a difficult night for Baraclough, who is still yet to win a match in 90 minutes in nine games in charge of Northern Ireland.

Immobile, last season’s European Golden Boot winner, had the first sight of goal for the hosts but scuffed his shot through to Bailey Peacock-Farrell after chesting down a long ball in the box.

Italy did, though, take the lead after only 14 minutes. Alessandro Florenzi played Berardi through down the right, and the mercurial Sassuolo striker took one touch before clinically lifting over Peacock-Farrell from a tight angle.

They doubled their lead seven minutes before the break. Lorenzo Insigne slipped in Immobile, whose shot from the left-edge of the box squirmed through Peacock-Farrell at his near post. It was a bad error from the Burnley keeper.

Northern Ireland should have pulled one back in the second half when Gavin Whyte latched on to Manuel Locatelli’s under-hit back pass. But Gianluigi Donnarumma stuck out a leg to save from the volley from point-blank range. And the Italy stopper would not be breached as Paddy McNair blazed over Northern Ireland’s best chance three minutes from time.

However, it was Ciro Immobile who closed out the game with a second in the 38th minute

Bailey Peacock Farrell (above) has come under fire for being beaten at the near post twice