World Cup qualifiers are never short of drama, but last night in Debrecen, Hungary, we witnessed something truly extraordinary. Italy and Israel played out a nine-goal rollercoaster, with the Azzurri eventually snatching a 5–4 victory thanks to a stoppage-time strike from Sandro Tonali.
🔥 The Match in Moments
- Disaster Strikes Early
Italy’s night started horribly when Manuel Locatelli put through his own net after just 16 minutes. Things only got worse when another defensive lapse gave Israel further belief. - Kean to the Rescue
Enter Moise Kean, Italy’s brightest spark on the night. He equalized just before halftime (40’) and struck again in the 54th minute to cancel out Israel’s pressure. - Azzurri Take Control… Briefly
With Matteo Politano finishing smartly in the 58th and Giacomo Raspadori adding a fourth in the 81st, it looked like Italy had weathered the storm. - Israel’s Stunning Fightback
But Israel weren’t done. Dor Peretz struck twice (52’ and 89’), and combined with an 87th-minute own goal by Alessandro Bastoni, the game was suddenly 4–4. - Tonali’s Heroics
Just when it looked destined for a draw, Sandro Tonali curled home a beauty in the 91st minute, sealing Italy’s wildest qualifier in years.
📊 What It Means
- Italy sit second in Group I on 9 points, level with Israel but with a game in hand. They remain three points behind leaders Norway.
- Israel, though beaten, proved they’re no pushovers. Their attack asked serious questions of Italy’s shaky defense, and they’ll remain in contention if they can sustain this energy.
- Gattuso’s Dilemma: Italy’s coach praised his side’s spirit but admitted concern over defensive fragility. Two own goals and multiple lapses left him visibly frustrated.
🎯 Key Takeaways
- Italy can score, but can they defend? Five goals away from home usually means celebration, but conceding four—including two own goals—will set alarm bells ringing.
- Moise Kean looks reborn. His brace kept Italy alive when the game was slipping.
- Israel’s bravery deserves credit. They pushed one of Europe’s giants to the limit and nearly came away with a point.
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