Sandro Tonali Rescues Italy from World Cup Disaster Against Israel

Sandro Tonali fired Italy to a dramatic 5-4 victory over Israel on Tuesday in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, scoring a decisive stoppage-time strike just as the Azzurri looked on the verge of another crisis.

The Newcastle United midfielder’s speculative effort found its way through a crowded penalty area in Debrecen, Hungary, to snatch victory in a chaotic encounter which Italy at one point appeared to have thrown away.

Italy, who have missed the last two World Cups, were cruising at 4-2 in the 81st minute after substitute Giacomo Raspadori converted almost immediately upon replacing Moise Kean. Kean, who was in superb form, had earlier scored Italy’s opening two goals.

However, a clumsy own goal from Alessandro Bastoni and a Dor Peretz header pulled Israel level, before Tonali’s fortunate effort restored Italy’s advantage and lifted them into second place in Group I. Italy are level on nine points with Israel, who have played one game more, and currently occupy the play-off spot.

“We’ll take the win, which was crucial for us, but we’re completely mad – mad because we conceded some absurd goals,” said Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso. “We need to work on that because we are too fragile defensively. The boys know it, but it’s my responsibility to fix.

“You also have to give them credit, because every time they were knocked down, they found the courage to react and fight back.”

Italy trail group leaders Norway by three points and still have a chance of claiming the sole automatic qualification berth. However, Gattuso faces several issues to address before October’s fixtures against Estonia and Israel.

Israel’s players wore black armbands in honour of the victims of Monday morning’s deadly shooting at a bus stop in East Jerusalem, while Italian supporters displayed banners reading “stop” and turned their backs during the Israeli national anthem in protest at the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

On the pitch, Israel looked the sharper side early on and had already seen a goal disallowed when Manuel Locatelli bundled Dan Biton’s cross into his own net. Locatelli almost made amends when he struck the crossbar with a spectacular volley in the 31st minute, just moments before Kean wasted a fine chance from a Gianluca Mancini cut-back.

Kean eventually pulled Italy level 10 minutes later with a low strike after Mateo Retegui’s knockdown, before repeating the feat early in the second half – moments after Peretz had put Israel ahead for the second time with a superb first-time finish.

Matteo Politano then volleyed Italy in front following more good work from Retegui, and when Raspadori added a fourth it seemed the Azzurri were in control. But their uncharacteristically slack defending allowed Israel back into the contest before Tonali’s late winner sealed a vital three points and kept Italy’s World Cup qualification hopes alive.