Italy Survive 9-Goal Thriller Against Israel With Last-Minute Winner in World Cup Qualifiers

Sept 09, 2025: Italy is in danger of missing the World Cup main stage for the third time in a row. Now every match in the World Cup qualifiers is like survival for them. In this situation, the 'Azzurri' almost lost points against Israel. But after a dramatic fight, Italy won 5-4 with a last-minute goal.

In this 9-goal match, Italy scored 7 goals, including 2 own goals. Last night, Israel played Italy in the 'I' group match of the European World Cup qualifiers. Italy had 54% ball possession and hit the post with 7 of their 17 shots. Israel had 46% possession and hit the post with 7 of their 11 shots. After a tough battle, four-time world champions Italy finally won the game.

Italy Win 5-4 in a Dramatic Match

In Debrecen, Hungary, Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli scored an own goal in the 16th minute to give Israel the lead. But Italy forward Moise Kean equalized in the 40th minute.

Israel went ahead again in the 52nd minute with a goal from Dor Peretz. Just two minutes later, Kean scored again to make it 2-2. Matteo Politano then gave Italy the lead in the 58th minute.

In the 81st minute, Giacomo Raspadori scored to make it 4-2 for Italy. But Israel came back. In the 87th minute, Italy’s Alessandro Bastoni scored an own goal, and two minutes later, Peretz scored his second to level the match 4-4.

The real drama came in added time. In the 91st minute, Sandro Tonali scored the winning goal. Italy won 5-4 after a thrilling battle.

Italy Still Under Pressure in Qualifiers

With this win, Italy moved to second place in the group with 9 points from 4 matches. Israel also has 9 points but has played one more game. Norway is on top with 12 points from 4 matches and will qualify directly for the World Cup. The second-placed team will go to the play-offs. Italy’s fight is not over yet.

Coach Gennaro Gattuso said after the match, “The win was very important for us. But we conceded stupid goals. We must fix this problem.”

Italy’s next matches:

• October 11 vs Estonia (away)
• October 14 vs Israel (home)
• November 13 vs Moldova
• November 16 vs Norway (decisive match)

Other Results

Croatia beat Montenegro 4-0 and stayed on top of Group ‘L’ with 12 points from 4 matches. The Czech Republic is second with 12 points but has played one more match.

In Group ‘B’, Kosovo beat Sweden 2-0. Sweden has only 1 point from 2 matches. Switzerland leads the group with 6 points, Kosovo is second with 3 points.

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