Italy 2-1 Albania

18. There was a short pause after that goal had been scored for a VAR check following the suggestion that Dimarco may have committed a foul in the build-up.

It was quickly dismissed by the video officials though.

Italy 2-1 Albania

16. And now Italy lead – and it had been coming!

Albania fail to deal with a ball bouncing around their penalty area, and when Jasir Asani steers a right wing cross straight to Nicolo Barella outside the penalty area, he returns it with interest.

Head down, the Inter Milan ace lets fly with a screamer that tears past a stranded Thomas Strakosha and almost rips the net.

It’s Barella’s 10th goal for his country, and each of the previous nine have been scored in eventual Azzurri victories.

Italy 1-1 Albania

13. I don’t think many followers of these two countries in qualifying would have been expecting many goals this evening.

Well, we’ve had two already.

If it continues like this, it could end up 9-9 – which may well help my wife out in the prediction league at her work.

Italy 1-1 Albania

11. Italy were behind for just ten minutes!

Alessandro Bastoni escapes from his marker to meet Lorenzo Pellegrini’s corner from the left at the far post, and powerfully heads back beyond Thomas Strakosha.

The Italians head to the opposite to celebrate, scenes you suspect are fuelled more by relief than pride.

It’s been a blistering beginning at the BVB Stadion.