McNair despair as NI miss opportunity in Italy

Paddy McNair rued a missed opportunity for Northern Ireland as their World Cup dreams were crushed by Italy. The defender felt the hosts "were there for the taking" in their play-off semi-final in Bergamo, which ended in a 2-0 loss for Michael O'Neill's men. Northern Ireland frustrated Italy in the opening 45 minutes, but second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean set up a play-off final for the Azzurri next Tuesday with Bosnia-Herzegovina, who overcame Wales on penalties in Cardiff.

McNair, 30, told BBC Sport NI: "It is gutting to be honest. I know Italy are a big nation. I have played against a lot of big nations before and I think, at the minute, they are not at the level they once were.

"It is frustrating, I feel like they were there for the taking. " McNair has made 82 international appearances for Northern Ireland It took two well-taken strikes to break down Northern Ireland's defence and deny them a chance of a first World Cup finals appearance since 1986. Newcastle midfielder Tonali put the four-time winners ahead with a stunning volley, before ex-Everton forward Kean fired low into the bottom corner.

"Tonali scores a good goal from the edge of the box, and it gives them a lift," admitted Hull City's McNair. "The crowd was getting on their backs at times and we wanted to stay in the game as long as possible. The second goal killed the game off.