Israel vs Italy thriller ends 3-2 in World Cup qualifier
The World Cup qualifying clash between Israel and Italy turned out to be one of the most dramatic fixtures in Group I, with Italy edging out Israel 3–2 in Debrecen. The game was packed with action, goals, and even a little controversy off the pitch, making it a match that fans will remember for a while.
The encounter started with a twist of fate. Italy’s Manuel Locatelli unfortunately put the ball into his own net in the 16th minute, gifting Israel an early advantage. The Israeli players and supporters celebrated, sensing that maybe an upset was possible. But Italy, with their experience, did not panic. By the 40th minute, Moise Kean found the equalizer, thanks to a well-timed assist from Mateo Retegui, and the first half closed at 1–1.
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When the second half began, the intensity rose immediately. Just seven minutes after the restart, Dor Peretz scored for Israel, putting them back in front at 2–1. The momentum swung again, and Israel’s fans believed they might just pull off a famous win. But Italy struck back almost instantly. Kean scored again in the 54th minute, leveling the game, and then just four minutes later Matteo Politano made it 3–2 for the Italians, once again with Retegui playing provider.
From that point, Israel pushed hard but could not find another breakthrough. Italy’s possession game—nearly 58 percent overall—helped them control the pace, while Israel relied on quick counterattacks. The stats told the story: Italy had 13 shots compared to Israel’s 6, and their presence in the final third was much stronger. Israel defended bravely, making 32 clearances, but the Italian attack simply proved too clinical.
Beyond the pitch, the buildup to this match carried some headlines of its own. Italian coach Gennaro Gattuso had been quoted as saying it was “unfortunate” to play Israel, which was initially misunderstood as a political remark. He clarified later, apologizing, and explained that he only meant Italy were unlucky to face such a strong team in the group. He praised Israel’s quality, highlighting their fast transitions and technical players, and stressed that his respect for the opponent was genuine.
For Israel, the loss keeps them on nine points after five games, while Italy also sit on nine but with a game in hand. Both sides remain in contention, though Norway lead the group strongly with four wins out of four. The rivalry between Israel and Italy is also building its own history—this was their eighth meeting, and Italy now have six wins and one draw against Israel, continuing their dominance in the head-to-head record.
In the end, this qualifier was more than just a football match. It was a reminder of how unpredictable the game can be—own goals, comebacks, and the fine margins that decide outcomes. Israel showed fight and flair, but Italy’s resilience and firepower carried them through. For both sets of players, the road to the World Cup remains wide open, but for the fans, this was already a night to remember.
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