On the day the World Cup started in Al Khor, with the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador, Italy ended 2022 5,000 kilometres away with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Austria, at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna. After the successes in September over England and Hungary, and the friendly win against Albania on Wednesday, Roberto Mancini's side faced a bright home side and fell to defeat with goals from Schlager and Alaba. Also significant were the performances of Bologna pair Arnautovic and Adamu, while Italy, victims of their own downfall with various errors, conceded too much defensively and never threatened enough to make themselves dangerous going forward. 2-0 down, the introductions of Zaniolo, and Chiesa in particular, gave some spark to the Azzurri after the break as they came close to finding the net on several occasions, but they also risked being caught out on the break. Donnarumma, who was left surprised by Alaba's fantastic free-kick for the second goal, kept the scoreline down.

Austria, therefore, get revenge for their defeat to the Azzurri in the round of 16 at EURO 2020, and earn a win for the first time against them in over 62 years. For Italy, they must wait for 2023 to come around, with qualification for the Euros taking place and the Final Four of the Nations League.

THE MATCH. Mancini decided to keep the same formation as against Albania, 3-4-3, but with five changes to the starting line-up. Donnarumma returned in goal, with only Bonucci keeping his place in the defence: Gatti and Acerbi replacing Scalvini and Bastoni. Out wide Di Lorenzo and Dimarco were reconfirmed, while in the middle of the field Barella came back in alongside Verratti. Only one change was made up front with Politano joining Raspadori, forming two-thirds of a Napoli trio that has rarely been seen in their incredible start to the season. Completing the frontline was Grifo, scorer of a brace and an assist last time out in the friendly with Albania. But this time, he wouldn't make any impact on the game. Led by Rangnick, Austria lined up with Arnautovic as a lone target man leading the line, in front of Baumgartner, Adamu and Sabitzer, with high pressing the German's trademark.

But inside only 35 seconds, it was Italy who got in behind this pressing and nearly opened the scoring; Verratti played Dimarco in behind, whose cross was perfectly intercepted by Alaba to knock behind for a corner that wasn't far from going into his own net, with Raspadori lurking behind him. It would be one of the few attacking instances for Italy in what was a disappointing first half. After six minutes, Austria took the lead: Verratti had the ball nicked off him in the centre-circle by Schlager, who started and ended the move off, making the most off an Arnautovic assist; Italy fell behind just as they did against Albania midweek. Two minutes later, Barella lost possession and another chance came about for the home side, with Seiwald firing over from the penalty spot area. Austria were finding it easy to break into the Azzurri penalty box and Adamu came close to doubling their lead on two occasions: first, he was denied by Donnarumma, at the second attempt, after a cheeky backheel attempt, and then shot wide after Arnautovic's cross. On the half-hour mark, Acerbi's clearance sent the ball flying to Adamu, whose shot struck the outside of Donnarumma's post. Five minutes later, the Italy goalkeeper would be caught by surprise by free-kick specialist Alaba, whose long-range set-piece flew in to make it a deserved 2-0. Another great save by the Azzurri keeper from Sabitzer followed to keep out the third goal. Politano had one last chance before the half ended, forcing Lindner into a smart save at the near post. But it was all that Italy could muster up in a lacklustre first half. 

At half-time, Mancini rang the changes bringing on Chiesa and Zaniolo for Politano and Grifo; Scalvini and Pessina also came on replacing Gatti and Di Lorenzo. But it was Austria who looked the more dangerous, as Donnarumma did well to block out Arnautovic's powerful shot, and then brilliantly claw away Posch's close-range header. Italy were more determined after the break though, and looked dangerous with Pessina and Chiesa combining well, and then Zaniolo just shooting over the bar. Soon after, Verratti played Raspadori into the area, but Lindner was there again to keep the Napoli striker out. That was his last piece of action as he made way for Gnonto soon after. A great run down the wing by Zaniolo eventually gave Chiesa another good chance, but his shot was lofted over the bar from in front of goal. In stoppage time, there was time for Fabio Miretti to get his first senior cap, the 55th debutant in Mancini's reign as Head Coach, and he instantly made an impression making a timely defensive intervention. But that would end 2022 for the Azzurri, who now must restart in March with qualification for EURO 2024, with games against England and Malta to look forward to.