Italy claimed a thrilling 5-4 win over Israel in a World Cup qualifying match held in Hungary. This result keeps Italy’s qualification hopes alive in Group I.
The match was chaotic. Italy scored two own goals and fell behind twice. Yet they never gave up. Moise Kean scored twice. Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori also found the net. In the dying moments, Sandro Tonali drilled a long-range shot past the keeper to lift Italy to victory.
The team currently sits second in the group. They are level on points with Israel but ahead on goal difference. They also have a game in hand. Norway leads the group by three points. Only the top team qualifies automatically. The runner-up will go into the playoffs.
Manager Gennaro Gattuso praised Italy’s resilience after the match. He called the game “crazy” and said the team showed real fighting spirit. But he also admitted concerns over Italy’s defensive fragility.
The team had begun this international break with confidence. Gattuso’s first match in charge ended in a 5-0 win over Estonia. That strong win came just days before the dramatic clash against Israel.
The qualifier against Israel also faced challenges off the field. Security concerns had raised doubts about where the match could be held. But officials later confirmed the fixture would proceed as planned.
Overall, it was a memorable night for the team. Despite shaky defending, the team showed mental strength and belief. Fans and analysts now look ahead to the next matches with cautious optimism.
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