Bergamo. Four-time world champion Italy is very close to its goal of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 2014.Italy kept its qualification journey alive by defeating Northern Ireland 2-0 in the playoff semifinal held in Bergamo. With this victory, Italy showed signs of avoiding the precarious situation of missing three consecutive World Cups.Northern Ireland posed a tough challenge to Italy in the first half of the match held at the New Balance Arena. However, in the 56th minute, Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali relieved the home crowd with a powerful strike from the edge of the...