Italy are one point away from reaching the scheduled 2024 European Football Cup finals in Germany, beating North Macedonia 5-2 in the seventh and final round of the third group stage in Rome on Friday.

Matteo Darmian (17), Federico Chiesa (41, 45 + 3), Giacomo Raspatori (81), and Stephane El Shaarawy (90 + 3) scored for Italy, before midfielder Jorginho missed a penalty kick in the 40th minute. And Gianni Atanasov (52, 74) scored North Macedonia’s goals.

Darmian leads the Italian team#European_Countries_Qualifications #Euro2024Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/IS2V03oHfC

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 17, 2023

Cissa doubled Italy’s tally with a powerful shot#European_Countries_Qualifications#Euro2024Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/jXoPz1dJWR

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 17, 2023

Italy raised their score to 13 points and moved into second place with a direct clash with Ukraine, who will meet next Tuesday in a decisive match at Bay Arena in Leverkusen, Germany.

Thanks to a 2-1 win over Ukraine on September 12, Italy need just a draw to reach Euro 2024 and thereby defend their title in Germany from June 14 to July 14, 2024.

Bad luck follows Jorginho 😲#European_Countries_Qualifications #Euro2024Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/tIrWM1v8cO

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 17, 2023

In 2021, Italy won the title by defeating England on penalties at home.

North Macedonia has been a problem for Italy in recent years as this obscure country on the European football map was prevented from reaching the World Cup finals in Russia in 2018.

The point was repeated when the Azzurri lost to North Macedonia in the European play-off semi-finals for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar thanks to a late 92nd-minute goal from Aleksandar Trajkovski.

England strengthened their lead

England, who topped the group, beat Malta 2-0 to extend their lead to 19 points.

The Three Lions had to score a friendly fire goal from Enrico Pepe through an own goal in the eighth minute before Harry Kane, their all-time top scorer, scored his second (75).

Pepe scored an own goal for England#European_Countries_Qualifications #Euro2024Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/WO3zoiWMvu

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 17, 2023

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice’s goal was disallowed by the referee after an appeal to the video assistant referee in the 78th minute.

Coach Gareth Songate started the tournament with a strong squad, especially in an attacking line led by Kane, who shone in Germany at Bayern Munich, and wingers Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden.

On the other hand, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, who was named the most promising player of the year by French magazine France Football, won the Ballon d’Or award due to injury.