Italy 3-0 Israel: A Necessary win in Udine
Italy moved a step closer to keeping their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign alive with a 3-0 victory over Israel at Udinese’s Stadio Friuli. The result, while not a ringing endorsement of their form, provided the points needed as they prepare for a crucial stretch that includes a daunting trip to Milan to face group leaders Norway and a trip to Chisinau to meet Moldova.
The crowd of around 9,000 spectators underlined a quiet night in Udine, yet the result carried real significance for a side chasing automatic qualification in a group where the pace is dictated by Norway’s goal difference. Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy showed moments of control but were far from flawless, with defensive lapses and a lack of overall fluency prompting more questions than cheers for much of the 90 minutes.
Retegui on the Double: Penalty then a Curler
The breakthrough arrived just before the break after a solid Italian buildup from the left flank. Giacomo Raspadori fed the ball into Mateo Retegui, who was upended by Matan Baltaxa inside the box. Retegui slotted the spot-kick into the top corner, sending Omri Glazer the wrong way and giving Italy a deserved 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Retegui would not settle for one goal. Early in the second half, he produced another moment of quality, striking a curling effort into the top corner from outside the box after a quick move to open space. The goal punctuated a night in which the forward showed enough composure and finishing flair to justify his standing as a focal point in Italy’s attack as they chase a more meaningful result in November.
Clinical Finish Seals the Points
With the match still in the balance, Italy finally put the result beyond doubt when Retegui found space on the break to beat the onrushing keeper with a precise shot that bent into the far corner. The hosts then added a late gloss as Gianluca Mancini headed home in stoppage time, underlining a game that began shakily but finished with a sense of control for the Azzurri.
Where It Leaves Italy Going Forward
The win keeps Italy’s hopes alive, though their prospects remain precarious given Norway’s massive goal difference and the remaining fixtures. Italy travel to Chisinau to face Moldova before hosting Norway on Nov. 16 in Milan. It will be a tall order to overturn Norway’s lead, but the matchday pressure remains as La Nazionale looks to seize any chance to advance automatically rather than rely on a playoff route.
Israel’s Near-Misses and Lesson Minutes
For Israel, several bright moments hinted at what could be achieved in a counter-attacking setup, with Tai Baribo and Oscar Gloukh among those testing Gianluigi Donnarumma. A sharper first-half finish or a more decisive moment in front of goal could have changed the mood in Udine, but ultimately the visitors left with little more than a frustrated sense of what might have been.
In a campaign that has offered glimpses of resilience but inconsistency, Italy will need to translate their talents into consistent performances in the coming fixtures. The next steps are clear: secure points in Moldova, then host a Norway side who currently stand as the group’s benchmark. If Estonia can do Italy a favor in Oslo, the mathematically alive condition would extend beyond a narrow margin, but the path remains undeniably challenging.
