Italy fought back from two-goal deficits to secure a thrilling 5-4 win over Israel in a World Cup qualifier, with Sandro Tonali scoring the winner in stoppage time.
The match between Italy and Israel was a true thriller, with nine goals scored and plenty of drama to go around. Israel took the lead when Manuel Locatelli scored an own goal, but Moise Kean equalized before halftime to calm the storm. The Azzurri looked set for a comfortable win when Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori scored in the second half.
However, Israel refused to give up and staged an incredible comeback, scoring two quick goals to level the match at 4-4. The Italian fans were left stunned, wondering if their team would be able to respond once again. But Italy’s new coach, Gennaro Gattuso, had other plans.
In stoppage time, Sandro Tonali scored the winner, sealing a 5-4 victory for Italy. Tonali was calm and composed as he slotted the ball past the Israeli goalkeeper to send the Italian fans into raptures. Italy’s win moves them into second place in their World Cup qualifying group.
The match was filled with twists and turns, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Italy’s defense was shaky at times, but the team’s attacking prowess ultimately proved to be the difference-maker.
Despite the thrilling nature of the match, Italy’s defense will need to work on their consistency if they want to achieve their goals in the World Cup qualifiers. The team’s attacking unit, however, was in top form, with several players making significant contributions to the win.
The win is a great start for new coach Gennaro Gattuso, who made his debut with a 5-0 victory over Estonia. Gattuso’s tactics and team selection were instrumental in Italy’s win, and he will be confident that his team can achieve great things in the World Cup qualifiers.