Northern Ireland beaten by Italy in opening World Cup qualifier

The goals scored by Domenico Berardi and Ciro Immobile were both preventable and proved decisive

Northern Ireland were left to rue first-half lapses in defeat to Italy. Picture: Alessio Marini/PA

Italy 2 Northern Ireland 0

Northern Ireland made a losing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign as they were beaten 2-0 by Italy, but there were promising signs in Parma.