The Italians are in the World Cup play-off final, 1-1 with Belarus is enough

Even though life is a little complicated against Belarus, Italy is getting closer to the dream of qualifying for the World Cup which will be played next year in Brazil: the playoff final will be between the end of November and the beginning of December against Finland, who beat Serbia in both matches. However, the Italians were unable to achieve an encore as they did not go beyond a 1-1 draw in the return semi-final at the 'Franchi' in Florence. A result which however, in light of the 2-0 victory obtained in the first leg last Friday against neutral Tbilisi, does not jeopardize reaching the playoff final.

As then, today too Andrea Soncin's national team built several scoring opportunities, breaking the deadlock with one of the group's veterans, Barbara Bonansea, who after just 9 minutes took advantage of a mistake made by Slesarchik in the best possible way: a goal dedicated to her recently deceased mother. The Italians then had other opportunities to double the lead with Bonansea itself hitting the post and then with Cantore and Boattin while Belarus never threatened. In the second half, however, Italy, changed for nine elevenths compared to the first leg, paid for their lack of concreteness and a mental decline even before a physical one in the face of a more enterprising Belarus, capable of equalizing with the newly introduced Alkhovik who also hit a post.

Even Italy, with Polli having just taken over from captain Girelli who left with pain in the side due to a blow, hit a post, nullifying the possibility of leaving Franchi with a success in front of the FIGC commissioner, Giovanni Malagò, and the president of Club Italia, Claudio Ranieri. "We could have done better and we will work to improve also in terms of mentality but in the meantime the objective has been achieved, we wanted to play in the final and we will, we will have more than a month to study Finland, there is a desire to go to Brazil" declared Soncin.