Italy still perfect in World Cup qualifying run
Roberto Mancini’s halftime changes made an immediate impact as Italy won 2-0 in Lithuania to take control of Group C with its third straight victory in World Cup qualifying on Wednesday.
Substitute Stefano Sensi scored three minutes after the break and Italy had numerous chances to extend its advantage, but Lithuania goalkeeper Tomas Svedkauskas kept his side in the game until Ciro Immobile converted a stoppage-time penalty.
Italy moved three points ahead of idle Switzerland atop the group as the Azzurri remained on pace to reach the 2022 tournament in Qatar — having failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Northern Ireland and Bulgaria now have a point apiece after drawing 0-0. Lithuania remained on zero points.
The Azzurri, who have also qualified for the Nations League final four, extended their unbeaten streak overall to 25 games.
Elsewhere: Germany lost a World Cup qualifying game for the first time in 20 years Wednesday as the 2014 champion was beaten 2-1 by North Macedonia. Germany leveled after
Goran Pandev’s opening goal in first-half stoppage time but had no answer to
Eljif Elmas’ 85th-minute winner for North Macedonia, which moved above Germany into second place in Group J . ... Trailing 2-1 in the 87th minute, Armenia scored twice to beat 10man Romania 3-2 for its third straight win in World Cup qualifying . ... Defending champion France scraped a 1-0 win at Bosnia-Herzegovina to move four points clear in World Cup qualifying . ... Harry Maguire came to England’s rescue after a mistake by fellow center back John Stones, scoring a late goal to clinch a 2-1 victory over Poland in World Cup qualifying.
ETC.
NFL: Daniel Snyder’s purchase of his Washington Football Team co-owners’ shares was approved unanimously by his fellow NFL team owners, putting control of the team entirely with him and his family members. Owners ratified a resolution granting Snyder a $450 million debt waiver and approving his $875 million buyout of the ownership stakes of Dwight Schar, Fred Smith and
Robert Rothman, which totaled about 40% of the franchise . ... Two more women sued Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson over accusations he harassed and assaulted them during massages. The two new lawsuits brings the total number of women who sued Watson over allegations of acting improperly with them during massage sessions to 21.
College football: Maryland freshman linebacker
Terrence Lewis, from Miami Central High School who was considered the top inside linebacker in the country and the No. 20 player overall, will miss spring practices after having surgery to repair a torn ACL. Coach Michael Locksley said Lewis joined Maryland’s program after already suffering the injury. Because the NCAA didn’t allow official visits during the pandemic, Lewis’ injury was not discovered until he arrived on campus.