Italy kept their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying dreams alive with an exhilarating 5-4 victory over Israel at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, extending their unbeaten record against the Skyblue and White to eight matches. For Gennaro Gattuso’s men, it was a crucial result that breathed new life into their campaign after the heartbreak of missing the last two editions.
The game burst into life almost immediately, with Israel taking the fight to the Azzurri. Manor Solomon’s dangerous cross caused chaos, eventually bundled into the net via Federico Dimarco, only for the referee to controversially blow for a foul in the build-up.
Undeterred, Israel pressed on and found reward when Dan Biton’s delivery was turned into his own net by Manuel Locatelli. Italy, shaken, tried to respond through Sandro Tonali and Locatelli himself, but it was Moise Kean who dragged them back into the contest, finishing clinically from Mateo Retegui’s assist just before half-time.
The second half turned into a whirlwind of goals. Dor Peretz blasted Israel ahead with a stunning strike, but within 60 seconds Kean was on hand again to volley home the equaliser, his second of the night. Italy quickly capitalize on that momentum, with Matteo Politano slotting home to complete the turnaround before the hour mark.
Yet Israel refused to fold. Solomon and Eliel Peretz came close, before Giacomo Raspadori restored Italy’s cushion. Still, drama was far from over, as a quick Alessandro Bastoni’s own goal and Dor Peretz’s close-range header drawed the hosts level once more in a rollercoaster game.
In the end, it was newcaslte’s star Sandro Tonali who had the last say on the night, curling home the decisive strike late on in added time to settle a breathtaking nine-goal thriller.
Italy football posted an exclusive photo via its official X handle, celebrating the match winner Sandro Tonali, see below;
This victory leaves Italy in a strong position to secure at least a play-off spot, with Gattuso boasting two wins from two since taking charge. Meanwhile, Israel will rue their missed opportunity after twice leading, their wait for a first World Cup appearance since 1970 now looking even tougher.
