ITALY set a new record of 36-game unbeaten run Sunday, despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Switzerland in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Italy missed a chance to take tighter control of the five-team group by drawing again three days after being held 1-1 at home to Bulgaria in Group C.

Italy has 11 points from five games and leads by four from the Swiss, who have played two games fewer. Bulgaria beat Lithuania 1-0 earlier Sunday and trails Italy by six points.

Italy will host the Nations League Finals four-team mini-tournament in October before Switzerland comes to Rome on Nov. 12 for a potentially decisive qualifier.

A rare failure for Italy to score was compounded by penalty specialist Jorginho failing from the spot again in the 53rd minute. He missed in the shootout at the Euro 2020 final against England.

The newly crowned UEFA men’s player of the year’s signature trick of a slow run and jump did not deceive Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who quickly stepped to his right then dived to his left to save.

Sommer was also captaining Switzerland, which was missing Granit Xhaka, who tested positive for COVID-19 in midweek.

Meanwhile, Spain beat visiting Georgia 4-0 in Group B to take top spot back from Sweden, which did not play Sunday.

Spain is on 10 points after five games, just one ahead of the Swedes, who have played two games fewer. Third-place Kosovo is another five points back after scoring in stoppage-time to draw 1-1 with visiting Greece.

In Group I, England got a fifth straight win in the group by beating Andorra 4-0. It was England’s first game at Wembley Stadium since crowd disorder marred the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

In Group J, Germany routed Group J leader Armenia 6-0 to take back the top spot surrendered in March when it lost at home to North Macedonia.

(SD-Agencies)