England has suffered much less and has definitely secured its ticket for the World Cup-2022 by pulverizing San Marino (10-0).
The Italians' draw against Switzerland in Rome (1-1) forced the "Squadra Azzura" to win in Belfast against a very solid North Irish defender (no goal conceded at home during these qualifiers).
Roberto Mancini's men did not succeed, they doubted and even foiled, paralyzed by the stake, four years after a dramatic barrage for the 2018 World Cup, lost against Sweden.
Italian coach Roberto Mancini during Italy's draw against Northern Ireland, synonymous with play-offs to try to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, on November 15, 2021 in Belfast Paul Faith AFP
Meanwhile, the "Nati", initially with as many points as Italy, but a lower goal difference, had a game more manageable.
She dominated from start to finish and first got a host of corners and chances.
Switzerland also saw two shots, Okafor and Shaqiri, repelled by the Bulgarian posts, and two goals denied for offside.
But she struck four times: by Okafor from the head (48th), Vargas in power (57th), Itten (72nd) then Freuler (90th + 1).
The account is good, nothing is going any more for Italy.
In the England group, Poland (2nd) will still be a play-off, but they were beaten 2-1 in Warsaw by Hungary and will therefore not be seeded.
Finally, for the honor, in Group F, Scotland, already barrage, beat in Glasgow Denmark, already qualified (2-0).
These dams promise to be thrilling, even dramatic, next March: twelve countries at the start, including Italy and Portugal, the last two European champions, and only three places at the end.
© 2021 AFP