Italy celebrates with winning goal scorer Sandro Tonali. © APA/afp / ATTILA KISBENEDEK

At least Italy's attack works

Italy, fighting for a place in the World Cup, had to tremble for a long time against Israel. While their defense was repeatedly shaky, the Azzurri's attack showed that new coach Gennaro Gattuso could rely on them. Italy escaped another humiliation at the last minute.

September 08, 2025

From: cst

Moise Kean, a double goal scorer, and Mateo Retegui, a hat-trick assist provider, put their stamp on Italy's match against Israel. The two attackers secured Italy's shaky 5-4 away win in Debrecen, Hungary. Fittingly, Napoli's winger Matteo Politano and substitute Giacomo Raspadori, also an attacker, also scored. Sandro Tonali rounded off a memorable match.

After Italy scored five goals in their last World Cup qualifier against Estonia, the Azzurri scored four more against Israel. Kean equalized twice (40th, 54th), before Politano made it 2-3 and gave the Azzurri their first lead (59th). Raspadori sealed what was thought to be a foregone conclusion (81st), before the game became even more exciting.

Moise Kean scored twice, and Mateo Retegui (right) assisted three times. © APA/afp / ATTILA KISBENEDEK

Two Italian own goals & a furious finale

Italy began in a 3-5-2 formation and did not get off to a good start. After just five minutes, Gianluigi Donnarumma put a corner into his own net – but referee Slavko Vincic ruled it a foul. A very flattering decision, but Donnarumma was only too pleased. A short time later, however, the lead came: Israel took the lead. Manuel Locatelli deflected a cross into his own net (16'). It was the first of two own goals for Italy, as Alessandro Bastoni scored another in the 87th minute.

Bastoni's own goal, making it 3-4, opened the scoring in an incredible final phase. Dor Peretz, who had already scored to give the Azzurri a 2-1 lead, made it 4-4 after a free kick. Israel's players hugged each other, but they hadn't reckoned with Sandro Tonali. He tried to play a ball in front of goal, but it kept getting longer and longer, and HSV goalkeeper Daniel Peretz didn't look good either – the much-celebrated 5-4 for the Azzurri (90'+1'). Israel had no answer to this blow.

Italy closed the gap to Israel in the table thanks to their victory in Debrecen, where the match was moved due to the war between Israel and the Palestinians. However, the Azzurri have played one game less. Norway, who have won all four of their previous World Cup qualifying matches, remain in the lead.

World Cup Qualification, Group I

Israel – Italy 4:5
1:0 own goal Locatelli (16th), 1:1 Kean (40th), 2:1 Dor Peretz (52nd), 2:2 Kean (54th), 2:3 Politano (59th), 2:4 Raspadori (81st), 3:4 own goal Bastoni (87th), 4:4 Dor Peretz (89th), 4:5 Tonali (90th + 1)