Italy hammer North Macedonia 5-2 to keep hopes alive of playing at EURO 2024

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Italy beat North Macedonia 5-2 to keep their hopes alive Friday of playing at EURO 2024 in week nine of the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying matches.

Italy broke the deadlock with a header from Matteo Darmian in the 17th minute while Federico Chiesa made a long-range finish to double the gap in the 41st minute at Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Seven minutes later, Chiesa scored again with a stupendous goal with his right foot.

Jorginho missed a Panenka penalty attempt in the 40th minute.

Jani Atanasov scored the header to make it 3-1 in the 52nd minute for North Macedonia. Atanasov scored again to narrow the gap to one in the 74th minute.

Giacomo Raspadori netted the powerful left-footed shot to score Italy's fourth goal on the left side of the penalty area in the 81st minute.

Stephan El Shaarawy came off the bench in the 76th minute to add a goal in the stoppage-time.

Collecting 13 points, Italy and Ukraine are six points behind Group C leaders England, who already advanced to EURO 2024.

North Macedonia are fourth with seven points.

Türkiye, Spain, Scotland, France, England, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Hungary, Slovakia and hosts Germany already secured places for EURO 2024.

In addition, Albania and Denmark qualified for next summer's tournament after matchday nine results.

Friday's results:
Group C:

England - Malta: 2-0

Italy - North Macedonia: 5-2

Group E:

Moldova - Albania: 1-1

Poland - Czech Republic: 1-1

Group H:

Kazakhstan - San Marino: 3-1

Finland - Northern Ireland: 4-0