Follow usItaly was minutes away from disaster in one of the most dramatic matches of their recent history, defeating Israel 5-4 in a World Cup 2026 qualifier that had everything—own goals, comebacks, hat-tricks, and a last-gasp winner.
The night began in the worst possible fashion for the 2020 Euro champions. Gianluigi Donnarumma looked shaky early on, and although Israel’s opening strike was ruled out in a controversial call, the visitors soon took the lead. Manuel Locatelli, attempting to clear a dangerous cross, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
Italy found a lifeline before the break through Moise Kean, who finished off a clever pass from Mateo Retegui to level the score at 1-1.
The second half brought great amount of drama. Manor Solomon sliced through the Azzurri defense before Dor Peretz blasted Israel back in front. But once again Kean and Retegui combined, with the Fiorentina striker firing home his second of the night to make it 2-2.
Aura. pic.twitter.com/by2hW4hgAv
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) September 8, 2025
Retegui continued to orchestrate Italy’s attack, setting up Matteo Politano with an audacious backheel to complete the turnaround at 3-2. Giacomo Raspadori’s strike in the 81st minute appeared to put the game to bed at 4-2.
But Israel refused to give up. Peretz struck twice in quick succession, completing a stunning hat-trick and leveling the match at 4-4 in the closing stages. Just as the draw seemed inevitable, Sandro Tonali delivered the final twist. His low cross in stoppage time slipped past everyone and nestled in the net, sealing a 5-4 victory and sparing Italy from humiliation.
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