2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Tonali saves the Azzurri, Italy wins 5-4 against Israel in an incredible match.

A thrilling evening at Debrecen's Nagyerdei Stadion saw Italy defeat Israel in a thrilling 5-4 victory that will remain etched in the fans' memories. The match, played on neutral ground in Hungary, provided non-stop excitement and a thrilling finale, with Gattuso's men able to secure three crucial points in their bid for qualification.

A victory of character, but how many risks

The match immediately became an uphill battle for the Azzurri. After a complicated start, an own goal by Locatelli in the 15th minute he put the Israelis in the lead, having already threatened on several occasions and having had a goal disallowed in the first minutes. Italy struggled to find space, but in the 39th minute Kean takes advantage of a defensive error and scores the 1-1, restoring the balance of the match.

In the second half, the show heats up even more. At 52' Dor Peretz He puts Israel back in front with a precise right-footed shot, but the joy is short-lived. A minute later Kean finds his personal brace and signs the new equaliser. Italy gains confidence and in the 58th minute Retegui invents an elegant backheel to politan who beats the goalkeeper and scores the 3-2. The Azzurri seem to have control and in the 80th minute the 4-2 arrives with Breakers, good at finishing off a good team move. But the game isn't over yet. At 85' Sticks deflects the ball into his own net and gives Israel hope with his second own goal of the evening. In injury time Dor Peretz finds the winning header for the 4-4 that makes Italy tremble.

When the draw seems already written, Tonali he invents a poisonous cross that surprises everyone and goes in just inside the post for the final 5-4. It's the goal that decides a sensational match and gives the Azzurri three very important points.

With this success the men of Gattuso They climb to 9 points, moving to within three points of Norway and consolidating their run towards second place in the group, a position that is worth access to the playoffs.