Italy finally cleared its first hurdle in the World Cup playoffs — and now it has one more game to win to avoid missing the competition for the third straight time.

The four-time World Cup champions beat Northern Ireland 2-0 on Thursday night in Bergamo, getting a breakthrough goal from Sandro Tonali early in the second half before Tonali helped create the insurance marker for Moise Kean.

Tonali opened the scoring in the 56th minute with a half-volley that settled Italy’s nerves, and the Azzurri were largely in control from there. In the 80th, Tonali sprayed a crossfield pass to Kean, who took a clean touch and slid a low finish home to double the lead.

“After taking the lead, we cleared our minds,” Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said. “We put in a good performance. This should be a confidence boost for Tuesday.

“We have to win. We have no other choice.”

Italy’s next step is a winner-take-all final on Tuesday against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which advanced by beating Wales 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Cardiff. A victory would send Italy to the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and finally end a qualifying drought that began with playoff failures in 2018 and 2022.

–Field Level Media