Italy Edge Israel 5-4 in Crazy World Cup Game

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

Italy’s football team gave fans a night to remember when they beat Israel 5-4 in one of the wildest World Cup qualifying games of recent times. The match took place in Hungary and had everything—own goals, brilliant strikes, dramatic comebacks, and finally a last-minute winner. It was the kind of game that showed both the strength and weakness of Italy.

From the start, the match was filled with mistakes and surprises. Italy, known for its strong defense in past years, looked nervous and shaky. Their players misplaced passes, lost focus in key moments, and gave Israel the chance to dream of an upset.

In the 16th minute, Italy’s nightmare began when midfielder Manuel Locatelli scored an own goal. He tried to clear the ball but sent it into his own net, giving Israel a shocking 1-0 lead. The Italian fans were stunned, and the pressure on the team increased immediately.

Italy Fights Back Before Half-Time

Despite the early setback, Italy refused to give up. They kept pushing forward, creating chances. Israel defended well, but their resistance broke just before half-time. In the 44th minute, Moise Kean picked up the ball outside the penalty area and smashed it into the net. His equalizer gave Italy hope and changed the mood of the game.

Going into the break at 1-1, the Italian players knew they had to improve in the second half.

Second Half Chaos

The second half began with even more drama. Israel struck again, showing they were not afraid to attack. Their quick passing move ended in another goal, putting them back in the lead at 2-1.

But Italy hit back almost immediately. Just two minutes later, Moise Kean scored his second goal of the night with a half-volley, making it 2-2. His sharp finishing showed why he remains an important forward for the team.

Only a few minutes later, Italy finally took the lead for the first time in the match. In the 58th minute, Matteo Politano scored from close range after clever work from Mateo Retegui, making it 3-2. The Italian fans in the stadium erupted with joy.

The momentum seemed to be fully on Italy’s side. They kept attacking, and in the 81st minute, Giacomo Raspadori scored Italy’s fourth goal. At 4-2, it looked like Italy had sealed the win.

Israel’s Stunning Comeback

Just when everyone thought the game was over, Israel shocked Italy with two quick goals. First, defender Alessandro Bastoni scored an own goal, cutting Italy’s lead to 4-3. Then, only moments later, Israel’s Dor Peretz scored with a header to make it 4-4.

The stadium was full of tension. Italy’s players looked frustrated, while Israel’s team celebrated their unbelievable comeback. With only minutes left, it seemed like the game would end in a draw.

Tonali’s Last-Minute Magic

But Italy had one more moment of brilliance left. In stoppage time, midfielder Sandro Tonali stepped up. From outside the penalty box, he unleashed a powerful long-range strike that flew past everyone and into the net. The Italian bench and fans exploded in celebration.

Italy had done it—they won 5-4 in a breathtaking finish.

Gattuso’s Reaction

After the game, Italy’s coach Gennaro Gattuso spoke honestly about his team’s performance. He praised their fighting spirit and refusal to give up, but he also admitted the defense was poor and too many mistakes were made.

“It was a crazy game,” Gattuso said. “We showed great heart, but we cannot defend like this again. If we want to reach the World Cup, we must be stronger at the back.”

Why This Win Matters

The victory was more than just three points. It kept Italy’s dream of reaching the 2026 World Cup alive. At the moment, Italy sits second in their qualifying group. They are level on points with Israel but stay ahead thanks to a better goal difference and having played one game less.

Norway currently leads the group by three points. Only the first-place team qualifies directly for the World Cup. The second-place team has to go through the playoff route, which is always risky. That means Italy cannot afford more slip-ups.

Italy’s Recent Struggles

For Italian fans, this qualification campaign feels especially important. Italy has a proud football history, winning the World Cup four times. But in recent years, they have faced many disappointments.

They famously failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Despite winning the Euro 2020 tournament, they then failed again to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Missing three tournaments in a row would be unthinkable for a nation with Italy’s football tradition.

That is why the 5-4 win against Israel, even with its flaws, is seen as a sign of hope. It showed that Italy still has players who can rise to the occasion, fight until the end, and deliver when it matters most.

Israel’s Brave Effort

While Italy celebrated, Israel’s players also earned respect. They were fearless against one of the biggest football nations. Their fast counter-attacks and sharp finishing troubled Italy’s defense all night. Scoring four goals against Italy is not easy, and Israel showed they are improving as a footballing nation.

Even though they lost, their performance gives them hope for the rest of the qualifying campaign. They are still in the race for at least a playoff spot.

Key Players of the Match

• Moise Kean – Scored two important goals to keep Italy alive.
• Sandro Tonali – Provided the winning strike in stoppage time.
• Giacomo Raspadori & Matteo Politano – Added key goals during Italy’s comeback.
• Dor Peretz (Israel) – Scored a late equalizer that almost stole a point.
• Manuel Locatelli & Alessandro Bastoni – Both unlucky with own goals.

Lessons for Italy

• Defensive Weakness – Italy must fix their mistakes at the back.
• Never Give Up Spirit – The team’s fightback showed character.
• Importance of Key Players – Forwards like Kean and midfielders like Tonali can change a game in a moment.
• Need for Consistency – Italy cannot rely on late drama in every match.

The Road Ahead

Italy still has tough matches ahead in the group. They must face Norway, who are currently leading, and other determined teams fighting for a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Every game will be a test of discipline, focus, and strength.

If Italy can fix their defense while keeping their attacking firepower alive, they have a strong chance to qualify. But if mistakes continue, they could face the pressure of a playoff again.

Fans’ Emotions

For fans watching, this was a rollercoaster of emotions. They went from shock after the own goal, to joy when Kean equalized, to despair when Israel tied the game at 4-4, and finally to pure happiness when Tonali’s shot hit the net.

This game reminded fans why football is loved around the world. It is unpredictable, dramatic, and always capable of producing unforgettable moments.

Italy’s 5-4 victory over Israel will be remembered as one of the craziest matches of the qualifying campaign. It was not perfect—far from it—but it showed the determination of a team fighting to reach the World Cup.

For coach Gattuso, the challenge is clear: keep the fighting spirit alive, but fix the defense. For the players, the task is to stay focused and make sure the mistakes of this game are not repeated.

For the fans, the memory of Tonali’s last-minute winner will stay in their hearts for a long time.

With this win, Italy keeps their World Cup dream alive.

World Cup qualifier