Italy frantically searching for a late winner, but Macedonia are seeing everything aside. The hosts just don't have that killer instinct in attack, and they've paid dearly for it tonight. A stray pass goes behind for a goal-kick, and that just might do it.
90'
There will be three minutes added on at the end of this match.
88'
Everyone behind the ball now for Macedonia in an attempt to see this through to full-time. A draw today would see them go three successive matches unbeaten in qualifying away from home - something to hang their hats on in advance of the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
86'
It's been a frustrating night for Italy, which will leave Gian Piero Ventura searching for answers on how to fix his attack ahead of next month's play-off. Ciro Immobile has been on fire this season for Lazio, but his form has not translated to his international matches.
84'
Italy pushing on to try and restore their lead, but Macedonia are doing a nice job of limiting the hosts to shots from range, all of which seem to be missing the mark. Someone has to step up and take charge for the hosts.
82'
STAT: Italy beat Macedonia 3-2 in the previous fixture, with Ciro Immobile scoring twice in the final 15 minutes to turn around a 2-1 deficit - the only previous meeting between the two nations.
80'
I. Trichkovski enters the game and replaces G. Pandev.
Pandev is congradulated by team-mates and coaches alike as he's replaced by Ivan Trichkovski with Macedonia's final change of the night.
79'
Italy have been left stunned here. It hardly matters in the Group G standings, but it won't do anything to help Italy's confidence ahead of next month's play-off. It's game on now by all means, though! Can someone find a winner?!
77'
A. Trajkovski has scored a goal for North Macedonia! Assist by G. Pandev.
Pandev provides the assist.
PARITY RESTORED IN TURIN! It's been coming, and it's a deserved equaliser for the visitors as Trajkovski is played in by Pandev before picking out a terrific finish at the far post from a rather difficult angle! It had to be perfect, and it was!
Minute
Description
76'
Who's there?! Bernardeschi whips in a delicious cross to the far post, met by Zappacosta, who heads dangerously back across goal, but no one in a white shirt is there to attack it as Dimitrievski can collect!
75'
G. Zajkov enters the game and replaces D. Velkovski.
B. Cristante enters the game and replaces R. Gagliardini.
Gagliardini is replaced as Italy make their final change, replaced by Bryan Cristante.
Gjoko Zajkov replaces Velkoski.
73'
Italy's attacking influence has completely fizzled since the hour mark. They're showing no signs of adding to their lead, while Macedonia are looking capable of stealing a result. Another tidy attack from the hosts sees a cross cut out at the near post, before a subsequent effort is lifted over the bar.
71'
Alioski has been all over the place tonight, one of the best players in a red shirt on the evening. He's been stout in defence while still contributing in attack, whipping in an excellent cross here right onto the head of Nestorovski, but the striker sends an effort straight at Buffon from point-blank range!
69'
M. Parolo gets yellow.
Parolo becomes the first Italy player booked on the night as he fouls an opponent high up the pitch in an attempt to win back possession for his side.
68'
Macedonia remain in the ascendency, spending more time in attack over the last five minutes, though they have nothing to show for it but a Nestorovski shot that missed the target. Maybe, just maybe, this is the vote of confidence they needed to push forward, however.
66'
STAT: Italy have won five of their six games in which Giorgio Chiellini has scored (L1).
64'
F. Bernardeschi enters the game and replaces S. Verdi.
A. Trajkovski enters the game and replaces F. Hasani.
Macedonia's first change of the night sees Aleksandar Trajkovski replace the recently booked Hasani.
Federico Bernardeschi is the second substitute introduced by Italy, and he comes on to a warm welcome as he replaces Verdi.
61'
F. Hasani gets yellow.
The second yellow card of the night is shown to Hasani as he trips up Chiellini late near the halfway line.
59'
The visitors ae enjoying a rare spell of possession in the attacking half, but their real struggle is keeping the ball right now as opposed to creating something. Italy have been far from great lately, but it's their attack that has sputtered, not their defence. It would take something special for Macedonia to snap the clean sheet.
57'
Despite the increase in energy, Italy are not doing enough to test Dimitrievski, who has not had a whole lot to do tonight. One has to wonder at what point Macedonia will start taking a few chances going forward in the hopes of springing a shock result.
55'
Italy have upped the urgency, and finally Macedonia are showing signs of struggle in defence. The likes of Gagliardini and Parolo are really bossing midfield, with Zappacosta and Darmian doing a much better job of picking their spots to get forward on the overlap.
53'
S. Spirovski gets yellow.
Spirovski is the first player booked on the night.
52'
STAT: Seven of Italy's nine goals scored at home in qualifying have come in the second half of their matches.
50'
Zappacosta makes a lovely run forward, making strides on the overlap as he's sprung into space, but his attempted pull-back can only find a red shirt as it's eventually knocked safely back into the waiting arms of the keeper.
48'
Cagey start to the second half, with things yet to open up as expected following the opener. Italy are dominating possession, but again causing precious little harm with it as they struggle to break down the Macedonia defence.
46'
D. Rugani enters the game and replaces A. Barzagli.
Here we go again!
Daniele Rugani replaces Andrea Barzagli at the interval for Italy.
45'
HALF-TIME: ITALY 1-0 MACEDONIA.
44'
That goal certainly has helped to open the game up a bit, and it should lead to some much better viewing in the second half. With nothing to lose, Macedonia can loosen the shackles a bit and get bodies forward in search of a goal.
42'
Macedonia nearly respond as Nestorovski is played through in the centre, but a bit of hesitation costs him dearly as Chiellini recovers to get across and thump the ball behind for a corner at the vital moment!
40'
G. Chiellini has scored a goal for Italy! Assist by C. Immobile.
THERE'S THE OPENER! It comes from the unlikeliest of sources as Giorgio Chiellini taps home a simple finish in the centre following an unselfish pass across from Immobile, who was played through exquisitely by Insigne! Well-worked move from the hosts after a bit of pinball in and around the area.
Immobile could have easily scored himself there, but opts for the guaranteed goal with an unselfish pass across for Chiellini, picking up the assist.
39'
STAT: Macedonia won their last two World Cup qualifying matches at Liechtenstein and Israel, ending a 14-match winless run away from home in the competition (D2, L12).
37'
Macedonia soak up a spell of Italian pressure nicely, before getting the ball up the pitch as they force the hosts to retreat and regroup. It's not looking like this deadlock will be broken before the interval.
35'
Straight at the keeper! Parolo does well to find a large gulf of space in the centre, pushing forward before chipping in a short cross for Insigne, but the Napoli forward's header lacks the power and accuracy to really test Dimitrievski.
33'
While motivation could prove to be part of the problem for the Italians tonight, one would have to think they would want to put in a good showing to right the ship after struggling in September. Anything can happen in a two-game play-off and they have to be at their best to avoid disastrously misisng out on the World Cup.
31'
Italy's fate has been sealed now. Spain lead 3-0 over Albania with 30 minutes gone, meaning Gian Piero Ventura's men will finish second in Group G and have to endure a home and home play-off to book their place in next summer's World Cup.
29'
STAT: Macedonia have scored in their last two World Cup qualifying matches away from home. The last time they scored in three in a row was back in 2005.
27'
There's almost too much width to Italy's attack right now. They have so many bodies flooding the flanks, that there's this canyon of space in the centre that's got nothing but red shirts in it. That's not going to get the job done for the hosts, who don't look like scoring at all at the moment.
25'
When Italy do get the likes of Insigne and Verdi into the wide areas, they're lacking support in the centre. There's some crosses coming into the box, but Immobile is constantly outnumbered. He needs help in the middle.
23'
Possession is being dominated by the Italians, especially over the last 10 minutes, but they have precious little to show for it. Macedonia are looking very assured at the back, with confidence sure to be running high, but you have to chalk some of it up to a lack of creativity from the hosts.
21'
Immobile does well to bring a cross down in the area, before turning into space for what looks like a glorious chance, but he's called for a foul! Nothing really doing here for the hosts, who need to show a bit more urgency on the front foot.
19'
STAT: Italy have kept three successive clean sheets at home in World Cup qualifying. They have not kept four in a row since a run of 10 between 1993 and 2001.
17'
Macedonia flash a bit of skill on the ball as they win themselves a corner. Italy defend it well, but can't clear their lines completely as the pressure stays on, before Pandev forces a smart save from Buffon at his near post.
15'
Meanwhile in Alicante, Spain have a 1-0 lead over Albania. Victory for La Roja tonight would essentially lock Italy into the number-two spot in Group G, thrusting them into the play-off. They're going to finish second in all likelihood, so you have to wonder if motivation is perhaps a bit of an issue tonight?
13'
Macedonia's penalty area has hardly seen a touch thus far, as the visitors are defending their goal with great dedication. Their shape off the ball has been excellent and Italy's struggling attack has had no answers.
11'
Insigne's chance was the lone bright spot in an otherwise sluggish start from the hosts. Macedonia's qualifying chances have long ago been dashed, but they're not going to lay down and give Italy three points tonight.
9'
STAT: Italy have never lost a World Cup qualifying match on home soil in 53 tries (W46, D7).
7'
SO NEARLY THE OPENER! That's more like it from the hosts, who carve their way through with some delicious one-touch passing. Insigne gets behind the defence, but Dimitrievski is off his line in a flash to thwart him excellently!
5'
It's all been rather pedestrian from the Italians thus far as they use their time on the ball to try and get into a bit of rhythm. There's a good width about them in attack, but Macedonia have been more than up to the task thus far in defence.
3'
Italy negotiate the game's first attack, but Macedonia are enjoying a decent amount of possession in these early stages. There's a terrific atmosphere here in Turin, urging the Azzurri forward every time they win the ball back. They want to see goals tonight.
1'
AND THEY'RE OFF! Macedonia in red as they get the match underway, attacking right to left, with Italy in white shirts and blue shorts.
Hello and welcome to the Stadio Olimpico in Turin as Italy look to cement their place in the play-off when they host Macedonia.
Italy trail the leaders by three points and are behind by 17 on goal difference, meaning the Azzurri would need to win their final two matches and Spain would have to either lose or draw both, unless Italy could find a way to win by a historic margin tonight…
First place in Group G is not entirely impossible for Italy, but it’s pretty close to it as they would need an epic collapse from Spain over the final two matches to make that dream a reality.
With all that being said, Italy are in all likelihood headed for the play-off, where they will partake in a home and home in November against another second-place finisher, with a World Cup spot on the line.
Gian Piero Ventura’s side were far from convincing in their September qualifiers, trounced 3-0 at Spain before scraping by in a 1-0 win at home to Israel. This is a get right game for the Italians, but could prove trickier than expected against a Macedonia side who have won twice on the road already in qualifying.
Giam Piero Ventura makes six changes from the 1-0 win over Israel. Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Davide Zappacosta come in to solidify the defence, replacing Davide Astori, Andrea Conti and Antonio Candreva. Marco Parolo comes into midfield, while Roberto Gagliardini and Simone Verdi are handed just their second caps, with Daniele De Rossi, Marco Verratti and Andrea Belotti replaced.
Igor Angelovski makes two changes from their draw against Albania, with Kire Ristevski and the injured Boban Nikolov replaced by Marjan Radeski and Ferhan Hasani.
Giorgio Chiellini's eighth international goal in his 93rd cap has Italy ahead at the break, following a rather uninspiring opening 45 minutes. Lorenzo Insigne also came close for the Azzurri, while Goran Pandev forced Gianluigi Buffon into a smart save at the other end. Let's hope for a bit more excitement after the restart.
That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
Giorgio Chiellini's opener is cancelled out by Aleksandar Trajkovski as Italy are held to a disappointing draw at home to Macedonia, relegating them to the World Cup qualifying play-off. The result means Spain are officially through to Russia 2018, while Italy's fate will be on the line in November, following a string of uninspiring performances.
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