In Pahos, Italy drew (2-2) in the first match of the elite phase in a comeback against Ireland. After ending the first half behind by two goals, Corradi made four changes that would prove decisive during the second half when the Azzurrini, with a great display of pride, managed to tie the match thanks to a convincing team effort and, above all, to Bologna forward Tommaso Ravaglioli's brace.

A partially satisfied Bernardo Corradi: "It was a match that, for better or worse, we made our own," said the coach at the end of the match, "and I am curious to see the statistics from the first half. We could also complain about the fact we hit the post that could have given us the win. The boys did well to take back a difficult game thanks to a great reaction. We made a mistake by playing a first half that didn't suit our game. Those who came on in the second half did well and now everything is back on the line because starting with a defeat would not have been ideal. We have two matches left and, bringing the conviction we showed today in the second half, we will try to win them".

The next match will be played on Friday (14:00 CET) against the hosts Cyprus.

The Match. A decidedly uphill first half. The Irish were more aggressive, and it was to be expected; the Azzurrini were blocked, trapped in their half by a suffocating press, which allowed no time to think. The first alarm bells rang out in the 7th minute when a goal by centre forward Melia was cancelled for offside. Italy's reaction came in the 20th minute, with a throw to Ravaglioli who managed to aim at the goal just outside the small box, but his shot was blocked by the Irish defenders. In the 25th minute, Razi, on a breakaway down the left, sent a strong ball into the middle for Melia who, from close range, drew a save from Martinelli but his parry ended up at the feet of Watford striker Akachukwu, who scored calmly. This is how the Irish opened the scoring and they doubled their lead shortly afterwards, with a photocopy of the previous one: this time it was Shamrock Rovers striker Ikechukwu who broke free on the left and his cross slotted into Martinelli's net after a deflection from Ramaj'. The deficit could have been made worse in the 43rd minute, but the crossbar denied Razi's shot for the third.

In the second half, Corradi turned the team around with four changes and the game turned on its head: the Azzurrini regained spirit and energy and went on the attack, forcing the Irish into their own half. In the 64th minute, Romano brought the first threat just inside the opponent's box but his shot ended wide of the post. The Azzurri's pressure, a minute later, yielded its desired effect: an persistent attack inside the Irish area ended with a hand ball from Babb and the referee had no doubts in giving the penalty: Ravaglioli scored with a sharp shot towards the right post that Healy was unable to reach. The Azzurrini did not want to lose and, in the 80th minute, a breakaway on the right by Liberali ended with a strong cross into the middle of the area that Ravaglioli hit on the volley but it was pushed out by Healy; the ball returned to the feet of the Bologna forward who this time scored the equalizer. But it was not enough for Italy: in the 84th minute, a free kick on the edge of the area taken by captain Mannini hit the left post, deflected onto the goalkeeper's back and out for a corner kick. The match opened up, the teams stretched out and the last chance to take the lead fell to the Azzurrini: Filippo Scotti, one on one with the goalkeeper, shot with his left but weakly and the ball was easy for Healy to grab.

Italy 2-2 Republic of Ireland

Goalscorers: Akachukwu 24’, Ramaj 38’ (OG), Ravaglioli 66’ (P) and 80’

Italy (4-3-1-2): Martinelli; Ventre (Crapisto 53’), Sadotti, Ramaj, Cocchi; Mendicino (Bonanomi 54’), Riccio (Liberali 78’), Mannini (C); Ravagnoli, Romano, Ragnoli Galli (Scotti 67’). Coach: Corradi. Subs: Plaia, Pagnucco, Verde, Desole.

Republic of Ireland (4-3-3): Healy; Babb, Turley (C), Grante, O’Sullivan; Razi (Mooney 81’), Negry-McGrath, McAndrews; Orazi, Melia (Okosun 61’), Akachukwu (Kehir 61’). Coach: O’Brien. Subs: Collins, Kone-Doherty, Harnett, Moore, Ashbee, Murray.

Referee: Jasper Vergoote (BEL); Linesmen: Michael Geerolf (BEL) and Eraklis Komodromos (CYP); 4^th Assistant: Kyriakos Athanasiou (CYP)

Bookings: Akachukwu, O’Sullivan, O’Brien, Turley 

Group 6 fixtures and standings: Italy, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Ukraine

Tuesday 7 March

ITALY 2-2 Republic of Ireland

Cyprus vs Ukraine, 17:00 CET, Stelios Kyriakides Stadium - Paphos;

Standings: Italy and Ireland 1, Cyprus and Ukraine 0

Friday 10 March

ITALY vs Cyprus, 14:00 CET, Stelios Kyriakides Stadium – Paphos;

Ukraine vs Republic of Ireland, 14:00 CET, Geroskipou Municipal Stadium – Paphos;

Monday 13 March

Ukraine vs ITALY, 14:00 CET, Geroskipou Municipal Stadium – Paphos;

Republic of Ireland-Cipro, 14:00 CET, Stelios Kyriakides Stadium - Paphos.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Tommaso Martinelli (Fiorentina), Francesco Plaia (Spezia);
Defenders: Matteo Cocchi (Inter), Fabio De Sole (Torino), Filippo Pagnucco (Juventus), Gabriel Ramaj (Atalanta), Edoardo Sadotti (Fiorentina), Alessandro Ventre (Juventus), Francesco Verde (Juventus);
Midfielders: Andrea Bonanomi (Atalanta), Francesco Crapisto (Juventus), Mattia Liberali (Milan), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Leonardo Mendicino (Atalanta), Lorenzo Riccio (Atalanta), Marco Romano (Genoa);
Forwards: Federico Ragnoli Galli (Atalanta), Emanuele Rao (Spal), Tommaso Ravaglioli (Bologna), Filippo Scotti (Milan).

Previous results with Italy

Cyprus passed the first qualifying round by finishing second in Group 11 behind Serbia. A three-team group, Cyprus achieved a win against Gibraltar (2-0) and a loss against Serbia (3-1). Their record against Italy sees three wins for the Azzurrini and one draw.

Ukraine passed the first round by finishing first in Group 2 thanks to two victories against Azerbaijan (5-2) and Liechtenstein (7-0) and a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina (1-1). Against Italy, the Ukrainians have lost four, drawn one and won three times.