In a match that emphatically defied conventional football wisdom, Italy secured a pulsating 5-4 victory over Israel in a World Cup qualifier. The result, while crucial for points, offered both immense relief and significant cause for concern for newly appointed coach Gennaro Gattuso.
A Neutral Venue, Anything But Neutral Drama
Played on neutral ground in Debrecen, Hungary, due to ongoing security considerations, this encounter was anything but a quiet affair. Following a commanding 5-0 debut win against Estonia, Gattuso`s Azzurri were widely expected to build on their momentum with a display of disciplined dominance. However, what unfolded was a defensive free-for-all, a tactical spectacle for neutrals, and almost certainly a severe migraine for any coach, particularly one renowned for his tenacious, defensively-minded playing career.
First Half: Defensive Lapses and Urgent Responses
The game began with Italy looking somewhat unsettled in their adjusted 3-5-2 formation. Early defensive lapses foreshadowed the chaos to come. Just 16 minutes in, Manuel Locatelli found himself on the wrong side of fortune, inadvertently turning the ball into his own net, gifting Israel an unexpected lead. For a nation that historically prides itself on tactical solidity and impenetrable back lines, this was a jarring and uncharacteristic start.
Italy’s response, however, was swift, if not entirely convincing from a defensive standpoint. Mateo Retegui, proving to be a valuable target man, expertly set up Moise Kean, who drilled home the equalizer in the 40th minute. It was a moment of individual brilliance that momentarily masked systemic vulnerabilities, ensuring the teams went into halftime level, but with a palpable sense of unease lingering in the Italian camp.
Second Half: An Avalanche of Goals
The interval did little to calm the storm; if anything, it intensified it. The second half exploded with a flurry of goals that left spectators breathless. Israel, showing commendable resilience and attacking intent, restored their lead just two minutes after the restart through Dor Peretz, capitalising on yet another defensive lapse from the Azzurri.
Yet again, Italy refused to buckle. Moise Kean quickly bagged his second, levelling the score at 2-2. The goals continued to flow at an astonishing pace: Matteo Politano put Italy ahead for the first time in the 58th minute, thanks to another clever assist from Retegui. When Giacomo Raspadori extended Italy`s lead to 4-2 in the 81st minute, it seemed the points were finally secure, and the drama might subside.
But this match had a flair for the dramatic, almost as if it had read the script for a Hollywood blockbuster. Within a dizzying six-minute spell, Italy’s two-goal cushion vanished. Alessandro Bastoni, in an unfortunate moment, scored an own goal, and then Dor Peretz completed his brace, drawing Israel level at a scarcely believable 4-4. The defending from both sides, particularly Italy, bordered on the farcical, transforming an international qualifier into a high-stakes, end-to-end playground skirmish.
Tonali`s Timely Intervention and Gattuso`s Quandary
With the clock ticking into stoppage time and the specter of a humiliating draw looming large, Sandro Tonali emerged as Italy`s unlikely hero. His hopeful ball into the box, deflecting through a maze of legs, found its way into the net, sealing a scarcely believable 5-4 victory. It was a goal born of pure chaos, perfectly encapsulating the match itself.
While the victory propelled Italy into second place in their qualifying group, the result poses profound questions for Gattuso. His inaugural game saw a clean sheet and five goals scored. This match, conversely, delivered five goals scored but four conceded, two of which were regrettable own goals, and demonstrated a profound lack of defensive organization. For a coach whose playing career was defined by defensive grit and tactical discipline, this “insane victory” must feel like a Pyrrhic one. The attacking verve is undeniable, with Kean and Retegui showing great promise, but the defensive frailties observed will undoubtedly be an urgent priority for “Rino” as he seeks to mold Italy into a World Cup contender capable of both scoring and, crucially, defending.
Fans, meanwhile, will likely remember this match not for its strategic brilliance, but for its sheer, unadulterated entertainment value—a nine-goal thriller that served as a stark, if thrilling, reminder of why football remains the beautiful game, even when its defensive arts are temporarily, and spectacularly, forgotten.
