Italy follow Portugal into playoffs

Belfast, November 16

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Italy are facing another detour to get to a World Cup final.

The playoffs beckon for the Azzurri — just like four years ago — after stumbling to 0-0 at Northern Ireland on Monday, plunging the recently crowned European champions to a second-place finish behind Switzerland in their qualifying group.

Switzerland leapfrogged Italy with a 4-0 win over Bulgaria. Italy’s soccer-mad fans might be starting to fear the worst. After all, their country also failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2018 World Cup. England romped to their biggest win — 10-0 over the part-timers of San Marino — to finish top of their group with more goals (39) than any other team. — AP