How Gennaro Gattuso's Italy triumphed in 'nightmare' nine-goal World Cup qualifier against Israel with Sandro Tonali's late heroics
Updated 08/09/2025 at 23:56 GMT+1
If Gennaro Gattuso's first two matches at Italy's head coach are anything to go by, The Azzurri will be box-office viewing ahead of next year's World Cup. His side played out a pulsating nine-goal thriller with Israel on Monday night, clinching last-gasp victory through Sandro Tonali in stoppage time. The win came three days after Italy's 5-0 thumping of Estonia.
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Gennaro Gattuso described Italy's 5-4 victory over Israel on Monday as a "nightmare," lamenting some "absurd goals" in a "crazy" World Cup qualifying encounter.
The iconic former AC Milan midfielder took the reins from Luciano Spalletti in June, and his new side have offered value for money since his emergence in the dugout.
A comprehensive 5-0 victory over Estonia on Friday got Gattuso's reign off to the ideal start, but Monday night's encounter with Israel was less straightforward.
Moise Kean cancelled out Manuel Locatelli's 16th-minute own goal to send the sides into the half-time break level, but the momentum began to swing impetuously in an utterly bizarre second half containing seven goals.
Israel took the lead seven minutes after the break through Dor Peretz, but Italy were back in control when Kean and Matteo Politano both scored within four minutes of one another.
Gattuso's side looked to be home and dry when substitute Giacomo Raspadori created a two-goal cushion on 81 minutes.
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But in a stunning climax, Israel got back level before stoppage time. They were helped by another Italy own goal - this time through Alessandro Bastoni - and Peretz netted his second to draw the game level at 4-4.
However, Italy ensured there would be a winner, with its outcome sizeable for their World Cup qualification prospects, as Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali had the final say - tucking home the winner from Andrea Cambiaso's assist to round off a remarkable evening in Debrecen.
Gattuso admitted to being surprised by the manner in which Israel set up, and lamented his own side's defending in the wake of some "crazy" conceded goals.
"It was a real nightmare today," the Italy head coach said, in quotes carried by Eurosport Italy. "They surprised us at the start because they were going for the references, man to man.
"Every time we developed and went forward with the two attackers, we put them in difficulty. We weren't brilliant and that's normal, it was the second game.
"We have to improve, we'll hold on to the victory which was fundamental. But we're crazy, we conceded absurd goals and we're too fragile.
"We concede goals too easily. We come from a style of football like this, if we want to play as a unit we have to improve something."
Gattuso praised his side's "courage to react" in the face of late adversity in the match, but confessed to having to improve to avoid such instances in the future.
"It's undeniable that we can't concede goals like that," he said. "I'll work hard with my staff, and that's not a criticism of the lads.
"What else can I take besides the three points? The mentality, even though it wasn't a great day, was there.
"We showed heart and the desire to react, and we need experience and a bit of cunning. Let's enjoy it; it's been an incredible eight days.
"I thank the lads; if we want to achieve something important, we know we have to improve."
The win significantly boosts Italy's hopes of World Cup qualification.
They sit second in Group I, three points behind leaders Norway, but could pull three points clear of third-placed Israel should they win their game in hand.
Anything less than qualification for next year's competition in the United States, Canada and Mexico would surely be seen as an immense disappointment for Italy, who have missed the last two World Cups.
They will face Estonia and Israel in October.
'We made a lot of mistakes'
Locatelli, whose own goal opened the scoring for Israel, was grateful to take the three points as he criticised a poor start from himself and the team.
The midfielder feels Italy made too many mistakes in their defensive endeavours, but - like Gattuso - took heart from his side's reaction.
"It was a crazy match," Locatelli said. "We had a great reaction. I started badly, scoring an own goal and then hitting the crossbar. I also made a crucial save later.
"The five goals we scored are noteworthy, but we also conceded four, so there'll be some analysis to do. We were there and we brought home a crucial match.
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"Israel is a tough team; they have quick, short players. We settled down after struggling a bit, but in the end I think we did quite well.
"We started a bit tense, while our opponents were more care-free. It's not possible to start like that; we made a lot of mistakes, and that's why it's difficult to judge the match.
"These three points are crucial; there's synergy in the locker room, and that's important. At this level, when you make a mistake, you have to take responsibility. We have to give our lives for this shirt."
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