SKOPJE, North Macedonia, Sept 9 (Reuters) - North Macedonia captain Enis Bardhi's stunning free kick cancelled out Ciro Immobile's header to earn a 1-1 home draw against Italy in their Euro 2024 Group C qualifier on Saturday, spoiling Luciano Spalletti's debut as the Azzurri coach.
Italy remain third in the group level on four points with fourth-placed North Macedonia although the Italians have only played three games to their opponents' four.
Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali hit the post with a low shot shortly after and Bryan Cristante was denied by goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski from close range.
But Bardhi did finally conjure up a late equaliser to give his side a boost before they visit bottom side Malta on Tuesday.
(This story has been refiled to make clear the reference is to Spalletti's debut in paragraph 9)Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Enis Bardhi's, Ciro Immobile's, Luciano Spalletti's, Nicolo Barella, Bardhi, Spalletti, Roberto Mancini, Barella, Bojan Miovski, Sandro Tonali, Bryan Cristante, Dimitrievski, Anita Kobylinska, Ken Ferris
Organizations:
Italy, England, Ukraine, San, Malta, Thomson
Locations:
SKOPJE, North Macedonia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Macedonia, Ukraine, San Siro, Gdansk