Top spot in Group C is still up for grabs, as Widmer’s strike is cancelled out by Di Lorenzo. Jorginho misses a penalty for Italy!
Midfielder Jorginho smashed a late penalty over the crossbar, as Italy were held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland in their Group C World Cup qualifier in Rome on Friday. The result leaves both sides with a chance of automatic qualification for Qatar.
With 15 points from seven games and the winners going through to the finals, Italy lead the group on goal difference ahead of the Swiss, with Northern Ireland third on eight points. Italy visit Northern Ireland in their final qualifier on Monday, while the Swiss entertain fourth-placed Bulgaria.
Switzerland took an early lead when Noah Okafor, who was making his first start for the national team, supplied full back Silvan Widmer, to fire a fierce drive into the back of the net on 11 minutes.
Roberto Mancini’s Italy struck back after the half-hour mark through a well-worked set piece routine, that Giovanni Di Lorenzo headed into the back of the net.
The home side piled on the pressure in the second half, dominating possession, but failing to get many decent efforts on target, as Murat Yakin’s Swiss outfit defended well.
Emerson and Federico Chiesa both came close with similar efforts during a fast-paced second half, cutting in from the left before firing their shots over.
Italy were gifted another great opportunity in the 89th minute, as a VAR review led to a penalty awarded for a foul on Domenico Berardi by Ulisses Garcia. However, Jorginho missed the target from the spot and the Swiss escaped with a draw.
