In a match that had everything—own goals, comebacks, and late drama—Sandro Tonali emerged as Italy’s unlikely hero. Deep into stoppage time, his curling strike from outside the box broke the hearts of Israel and kept Italy’s World Cup hopes very much alive.
The Rollercoaster of a Match
- Early Shockwaves: Italy were pegged back early when a misdirected pass from Manuel Locatelli resulted in an own goal, handing Israel the lead.
- Kean’s Brilliance: Moise Kean restored parity with two well-taken goals—one just before half-time, and another early in the second half—leveling the match at 2–2.
- Italian Surge: Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori struck to put Italy ahead 4–2, their momentum rising as the match approached its final phase.
- Dramatic Comeback:
- Alessandro Bastoni’s own goal jolted Italy as he turned a cross into his own net.
- Dor Peretz compounded the chaos with a late equalizer, making it 4–4 and casting serious doubt on Italy’s composure under pressure.
- Tonali’s Magical Moment: With time evaporating, Tonali saw an opening and unleashed a speculative long-range shot that weaved through traffic and nestled into the bottom corner—delivering a sensational 5–4 victory.
Tactical Spine & Significance
Italy’s new coach Gennaro Gattuso watched nervously as defensive lapses nearly derailed their campaign. Despite the defensive chaos, the attacking unit’s resilience—especially from Kean, Poltiano, Raspadori, and ultimately Tonali—highlighted their depth. This epic win places Italy second in their group, on level points with Israel but ahead on goal difference, and still chasing top spot held by Norway.
Match Snapshot
| Highlight | Key Moments |
|---|---|
| Own Goals | Locatelli early blunder & Bastoni’s late slip—to Israel’s benefit |
| Italian Attackers | Kean (2), Politano, Raspadori delivering goals marching Italy ahead |
| Drama Unleashed | Israel roars back with Peretz’s equaliser in the dying minutes |
| Tonali’s Finale | 91st-minute long-range shot curls into the net—victory snatched in chaos |
