Italy beats Israel with a late goal and guarantees the playoffs

Italy beats Israel with a late goal and guarantees the playoffs


With a brace from Retegui and one from Mancini, Azzurra made it 3-0, reached 15 points and secured at least a place in the next phase of the contest




Italy took a vital step towards securing its place at the 2026 World Cup. The team beat Israel 3-0, at the Bleuenergy Stadium, in Udine, Italy. The match, on Tuesday evening (14), valid for the eighth round of group I of the European Qualifiers, saw goals from Retegui (a brace) and Mancini. With the victory, Italy reaches 15 points and remains in second place in the group, guaranteeing at least a place in the play-offs. Israel, with 9 points, is eliminated.

Italy has possession of the ball but is struggling

The first half in Udine was characterized by few emotions and many tactical controversies. Italy had more ball possession, but had difficulty breaking through Israel’s defensive block. The best opportunities for the home team came from shots from outside the area and free kicks, without however creating any major dangers for Glazer’s goal. Israel, for its part, bets on counterattacks and even scares goalkeeper Donnarumma.

As the game headed towards a scoreless draw at half-time, a major move changed history. In the 44th minute, striker Retegui conceded a penalty. He took the penalty himself and, in style, opened the scoring for Italy. The goal, already in injury time, gave the home team the calm it needed for the second phase.



Retegui opens the scoring for the Azzurri –

The Italians are lethal in the second half

In the second half Israel returned to a more offensive manner in search of an equalizer. The visiting team created good opportunities and also asked for a great save from Donnarumma following a shot from Gloukh. Italy, however, knew how to resist the pressure and were lethal when they had the chance. In the 28th minute Retegui made a beautiful shot from outside the area and scored his second goal of the match, extending the lead.

With 2-0 on the scoreboard, the game becomes more open and with opportunities on both sides. Italy then takes advantage of the spaces to seal the victory. In injury time, in the 47th minute, defender Mancini scored with a header and gave the final result to the match. Finally, the victory was celebrated with great joy by the Italian fans, who see the team getting ever closer to the World Cup.

ITALY 3×0 ISRAEL

World Cup Qualifiers – 8th round

Date: 10/14/2025

Position: Bleuenergy Stadium, in Udine (ITA)

Goals: Retegui, 46’/1st Q (1-0); Retegui, 28’/2nd T (2-0); Mancini, 47’/2nd Q (3-0)

ITALY: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Calafiori and Dimarco; Locatelli (Cristante, 39’/2nd Q), Barella and Tonali (Piccoli, 46’/2nd Q); Cambiaso (Spinazzola, 39’/2Q), Raspadori (Esposito, 0’/2Q) and Retegui (Cambiaghi, 46’/2Q). Technician: Gennaro Gattuso.

ISRAEL: Enameller; Dasa (Mizrahi, 43’/2° Q), Baltaxa, Blorian and Revivo; Khalaili, Eliel Peretz (Abu Fani, 29’/2nd Q) and Gloukh; Solomon (Shua, 43’/2nd Q), Baribo and Biton. Technician: Ran Ben Shimon.

Referee: (Undisclosed)

Assistants: (Undisclosed)

VAR: (Undisclosed)

Yellow card: Tonali, Barella (ITA); Bitone (ISR)

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Source: Terra

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