Italy Starting Line-up vs Israel. Image credit @Azzurri.
Israel Pushes Italy to the Brink in Wild World Cup Qualifier.
(The Post News)- Israel fell just short in a thrilling World Cup qualifier against four-time champions Italy on Monday night in Debrecen, Hungary. Despite scoring four goals and fighting back from a two-goal deficit, Israel ultimately lost 5-4.
Israel twice took the lead first at 1-0 and then at 2-1 but Italy responded with a surge, pulling ahead 4-2. Refusing to quit, Israel equalized with two late goals, only for Italy to score a dramatic winner in the final minutes.
Before kick-off, Israeli players wore black armbands during the national anthems to honour the victims of a deadly terrorist attack earlier that day in Jerusalem.
Head coach Ran Ben Shimon praised his squad’s resilience and “courage,” calling them “an amazing group.” He said he felt proud of the performance, especially after Israel came so close to beating one of the world’s top teams. Still, he admitted the narrow loss left a “sour” taste. “We didn’t win three points,” he said, “but we earned the public’s trust and proved we’re unbreakable.”
Some Italian fans turned their backs during the Israeli national anthem, “Hatikvah,” but Ben Shimon brushed it off. He said he hoped his team brought some light to Israelis during a tragic day.
Tensions flared at the final whistle as players from both sides clashed before officials restored order. The defeat severely damages their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. They now sit third in Group I, trailing Norway and Italy. Only the group winners qualify directly, with runners-up entering the playoffs.
Israel vs Italy, a Match Packed with Drama.
Italy nearly conceded in the fourth minute when goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma punched the ball into his own net from a corner, but the referee ruled that Israel’s Stav Lemkin had fouled him.
The Italian defense continued to look shaky. Nicolo Barella’s careless back pass nearly gifted Eliel Peretz a goal, but Donnarumma cleared under pressure.
Israel deservedly took the lead in the 16th minute. Eli Dasa found Dan Biton, who cut the ball back across the box, and Manuel Locatelli accidentally redirected it into his own net.
Italy responded five minutes before halftime. Mateo Retegui laid the ball off to Moise Kean, who fired a low shot from outside the box into the bottom corner.
Shortly after the break, Kean forced Israel keeper Daniel Peretz into a sharp save. But they regained the lead in the 52nd minute when Manor Solomon danced through the defense and set up Dor Peretz, who lashed a first-time shot past Donnarumma.
They struck back almost instantly. Retegui played in Kean again, who hammered a half-volley from the edge of the area to make it 2-2.
Retegui assisted for the third time just six minutes later, slipping the ball to Matteo Politano, who poked home to give Italy a 3-2 lead. Substitute Giacomo Raspadori added a fourth in the 81st minute, seemingly putting the game out of reach.
But they refused to fold. Alessandro Bastoni’s own goal in the 87th minute gave Israel a lifeline, and Dor Peretz headed in his second just two minutes later to level the score at 4-4.
Then, in added time, Sandro Tonali unleashed a long-range shot that flew past Peretz to seal Italy’s wild 5-4 win.
“It was a crazy game,” admitted Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli.
Coach Gennaro Gattuso echoed the sentiment: “It’s the craziest game I’ve ever coached. We were reckless going forward, and they punished us on the counter every time.”
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