Sandro Tonali’s last-gasp winner edged Italy to a 5-4 victory over Israel in the European World Cup qualifiers on Monday.
The Newcastle midfielder’s 91st-minute strike in the Hungarian city of Debrecen sent Italy above Israel and into the Playoff spot in Group I. New coach Gennaro Gattuso’s side now trail leaders Norway by three points and still have a chance of taking first place and the group’s sole direct qualifying spot as they seek to avoid missing out on a third-consecutive World Cup appearance.
Gennaro Gattuso
“I was the craziest game I’ve been involved in as a coach. We’ll take the win which was crucial for us, but we’re completely nuts, nuts because we conceded some absurd goals,” said an annoyed Gattuso.
‘Defence is fragile’
“We need to work on that because we’re too fragile, we concede goals too easily. The boys know that, but this is my problem to fix,” he added.
Israel, whose players donned black armbands in honour of the victims of Monday’s deadly shooting at a bus stop in east Jerusalem carried out by Palestinian gunmen, took an early lead through an own-goal by Manuel Locatelli (16th min).
Italy and Fiorentina striker Moise Kean (40th & 54th min) wiped out the hosts lead on two occasions before Italy went 4-2 ahead on 81 minutes thanks to goals from winger Matteo Politano (58th min) and striker Giacomo Raspadori.
Peretz nets brace for Israel
However, a second Dor Peretz strike in the 88th minute — his first goal came in the 52nd minute — and a clumsy Alessandro Bastoni own-goal two minutes later made it appear the four-time world champions were on course for a disastrous result. But Tonali’s speculative effort went through a sea of legs and into the net to spark wild celebrations.
Meanwhile, Kosovo beat Sweden 2-0 despite Alexander Isak starting his first game — for club or country — this season, in a Group B encounter. Elsewhere, Croatia beat Montenegro 4-0 in Group L.
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No. of years since Italy’s last World Cup appearance
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