Sandro Tonali Seals 5-4 Victory for Italy in Nine-Goal Thriller Against Israel
In what can only be described as a footballing rollercoaster in Debrecen, Italy edged past Israel in a breathtaking 5–4 victory — a match packed with drama, comebacks, and a last-minute winner from Sandro Tonali.
It was a nightmare start for the Italians, as Manuel Locatelli inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net, gifting Israel an early lead. But just before the break, Moise Kean struck back with a crucial equaliser to level the score at 1–1.
The second half exploded into life. Dor Peretz put Israel ahead once again, but in a stunning turnaround, Kean completed his brace and Matteo Politano added another in quick succession to flip the match in Italy’s favour — 3–2.
Giacomo Raspadori extended the lead to 4–2, seemingly putting the Azzurri in control. But Israel refused to back down. An own goal from Alessandro Bastoni and a second strike from Peretz brought the scoreline back to 4–4, setting up a nail-biting finale.
It was Sandro Tonali who rose to the occasion, scoring a dramatic late winner to hand Italy all three points.
FIFA World Cup 2026, Qualifiers
Israel - Italy 4:5 (1:1)
Goals: Locatelli, 16 (own goal) (1:0); Kean M., 40 (1:1); Peretz Do., 52 (2:1); Kean M., 54 (2:2); Politano, 58 (2:3); Raspadori, 81 (2:4); Bastoni, 87 (own goal) (3:4); Peretz Do., 89 (4:4); Tonali, 90 (4:5)
Israel: Peretz Da.; Lemkin (Shlomo, 9; Turgeman, 88); Dasa (Jehezkel, 66); Revivo; Nachmias; Peretz Do.; Gloukh; Peretz E.; Biton Dan (Mizrahi, 66); Solomon; Khalaili (Baribo, 66)
Substitution: Shlomo (from 9 till 88); Mizrahi (from 66); Jehezkel (from 66); Baribo (from 66); Turgeman (from 88)
Bench: Glazer O.; Niron; Azoulay; Kanichowsky; Gandelman; Shua; Blorian
Italy: Donnarumma G.; Di Lorenzo; Bastoni; Mancini G.; Dimarco (Cambiaso А., 79); Barella (Frattesi, 68); Locatelli; Politano (Orsolini, 68); Tonali; Retegui (Maldini D., 88); Kean M. (Raspadori, 79)
Substitution: Frattesi (from 68); Orsolini (from 68); Cambiaso А. (from 79); Raspadori (from 79); Maldini D. (from 88)
Bench: Meret; Vicario G.; Gatti; Bellanova; Calafiori; Rovella; Pio Esposito
