In an electrifying showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, Italy narrowly escaped disaster in a dramatic 5-4 victory over Israel, securing an essential three points in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The match, filled with heart-pounding moments, unfolded in neutral Hungary and showcased the resilience of the Italian squad, who faced significant challenges throughout the game.
Italy’s path to qualification had already hit a major roadblock with a disheartening 3-0 defeat to Norway back in June, placing immense pressure on the team. The tension only escalated as Israel twice took the lead in this chaotic encounter, testing Italy’s resolve and composure. Moise Kean emerged as a pivotal figure, exhibiting remarkable skill to level the score on two occasions, demonstrating Italy’s fighting spirit.
The turning point came in the 59th minute when Matteo Politano, showcasing quick thinking and creativity, scored following a brilliant backheel assist from Mateo Retegui. The Italians seemed to have seized control of the match with Giacomo Raspadori adding a fourth goal, pushing them closer to a much-needed victory.
However, the rollercoaster of emotions continued as Israel struck back with two quick goals in a mere two minutes, leveling the score at 4-4. Dor Peretz completed his brace, leaving Italy on the brink of another setback. Just when it appeared that Italy might be condemned to a draw, Sandro Tonali delivered a moment of magic. In the first minute of stoppage time, he unleashed a curling shot that defied expectations, navigating through a maze of defenders and finding the back of the net.
The match was marred by Italian defensive blunders, including two own goals and glaring mistakes from Gianluigi Donnarumma, the new Manchester City goalkeeper, raising questions about the team’s defensive organization. The atmosphere was further complicated by the broader context of geopolitical tensions, as the game occurred less than a month after the Italian Soccer Coaches’ Association called for Israel’s suspension due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The crowd’s reactions during the Israeli anthem were a stark reminder of the charged atmosphere surrounding the match.
In a show of solidarity, Israel’s players donned black armbands in remembrance of the victims of a recent attack in Jerusalem, where six people lost their lives. This tragic backdrop added a layer of complexity to an already intense match.
With this victory, Italy has climbed to second place in Europe Group I, overtaking Israel, while Norway remains atop the group with a perfect record. As the qualifiers continue, the stakes are high, with other teams like Sweden struggling after a loss to Kosovo and Switzerland maintaining their lead in Group B with a decisive win over Slovenia.
As the road to the World Cup intensifies, every match will be crucial for Italy and their rivals, promising more thrilling encounters in the weeks to come.
