italy Survive Wild 5-4 Thriller Against Israel in World Cup Qualifying
TEL AVIV – Italy clawed their way back from the brink, securing a crucial 5-4 victory over Israel on Saturday evening in a chaotic World Cup 2026 qualifying match. The win, described by Italy coach Rino Gattuso as a game “that could have killed me,” propels the Azzurri into second place in Group I with nine points, level with Israel who have played one game more.
Italy’s path to victory was far from smooth,conceding multiple goals in a match that exposed defensive vulnerabilities. “They surprised us a little at first, but each time we attacked, we could put them in difficulty,” Gattuso told RAI. “We will remember the victory, which was crucial. But we are crazy because we have taken absurd goals. We are too fragile. it is indeed not a criticism of the players, it is my problem, we must progress me and my staff.”
Moise Kean scored twice for Italy, with Matteo Politano and Manuel Locatelli (an own goal initially) also finding the net. Despite the defensive concerns, players expressed optimism. “We believe in qualification,” Kean stated post-match. “We have a great team, a very good coach, and we can do great things.”
Politano echoed this sentiment, saying, “We took a lot of goals tonight, but it was vital to have character and know how to react to tear this success. It was crazy, really crazy. But we are happy to have been able to win thes two matches.” Locatelli acknowledged the “fou” nature of the match but praised his team’s reaction.
The victory offers a lifeline for Italy, still haunted by their failure to qualify for the previous two World Cups, including a shocking defeat to North Macedonia.Gattuso acknowledged the psychological weight, stating, “I started badly then I took the bar. Later, I had a significant rescue. We knew how to react in a team, but we have conceded four goals and we will have to analyze that.”
Despite the defensive issues,Gattuso praised his players’ resilience. “My players had the strength to react to each slap taken,” he said. “It was not a big evening, but they put their hearts and the desire to react. This is something we have to continue to work.” Italy’s qualification hopes remain alive, but significant improvements are needed to secure a spot in the 2026 tournament.