Barella sinks Dutch as Italy gets back on winning trail

Roberto Mancini, who recalled Giorgio Chiellini having left him out of Saturday’s draw with Bosnia by accident having not worn his glasses while seeing the teamsheet, saw his side dominate the first half with its pressing game working well. Nicolo Zaniolo had a bicycle kick which went wide, before hobbling off with a knee injury before half-time, while Lorenzo Insigne twice went close.

The Azzurri continued to press while the Dutch looked happy to sit back and rely on the counter attack. And the visitor’s possession was rewarded on the stroke of half time with Inter Milan midfielder Barella heading in Ciro Immobile’s cross.

The Oranje improved slightly after the break with Manchester United’s new signing Donny van de Beek forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into a fine save with a first time shot and former United forward Memphis Depay going close with a long-range effort. But Italy continued to look more dangerous with its front three working harder down the flanks. Moise Kean’s missed two opportunities while Insigne’s trademark curling effort from the edge of the box was palmed away by Jasper Cillessen.

And Mancini’s side held on to make it four points from two games to top Group A while Dwight Lodeweges’ side has three points.

Elsewhere, Northern Ireland suffered a bruising 5-1 defeat by Norway in manager Ian Baraclough’s first home game in charge.

A frantic start saw Paddy McNair equalise Mohamed Elyounoussi’s second-minute opener before the visitor took control at Windsor Park.

The impressive Erling Braut Haaland scored with two excellent strikes, while Alexander Sorloth also got two. NI drew 1-1 with Romania in its first match in the competition on Friday.

RESULTS: Netherlands 0 lost to Italy 1 (Barella 45+1); Northern Ireland 1 (McNair 6) lost to Norway 5 (Elyounoussi 2, Haaland 7, 58; Sørloth 19, 47); Czech Republic 1 (Pesek 11) lost to Scotland 2 (Dykes 27, Christie 52-pen)