Overview: Italy’s needed win despite a cautious display
Italy secured a 3-0 victory over Israel in Udine, a result that keeps their faint automatic World Cup qualifying hopes flickering as the road to 2026 gathers pace. Gennaro Gattuso’s side were short of flourish for long spells, delivering a disciplined performance that, in truth, did little to ease the doubts surrounding their ability to sustain a title-chasing charge in the final phases of the group.
In front of a sparse crowd at Stadio Friuli, with around 9,000 spectators, Italy found the breakthrough late in the first half and then added two more in a controlled second period. The win was essential, but it did little to convince critics that the Azzurri have recaptured the swagger that defined their triumphs of previous years.
Key moments: Retegui’s decisive brace and late gloss
The first goal arrived in stoppage time of the opening half. A sequence down the left culminated in Giacomo Raspadori feeding Retegui, who, after a clumsy challenge from Matan Baltaxa, earned a penalty. Retegui converted with a deft strike into the top corner, giving Italy a narrow lead at the interval and a platform to push on after the break.
Retegui then sealed the match with a sumptuous curling finish in the 74th minute. The striker, who has become a focal point for Italy’s attacking ambitions, showed composure and technique to bend the ball beyond Omri Glazer’s reach and into the far corner, making the game secure for the hosts.
Gianluca Mancini added a late, levelling flourish with a header in stoppage time that didn’t alter the result but capped a game that was more about discipline than domination. The substitute-driven finish underlined Italy’s intent to secure three points while managing minutes for squad rotation ahead of tougher fixtures.
Israel’s chances and defensive concerns
Israel pressed courageously in the opening stages and might have moved ahead through Tai Baribo, whose shot was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Oscar Gloukh also tested the goalkeeper with a shot that narrowly missed the target. The visitors’ counter-attacking threat remained a feature, even as Italy grew into the match and converted a key moment in stoppage time.
The defeat leaves Israel facing a challenging path in the remainder of the campaign, needing results elsewhere to keep their qualification hopes alive. For a side that defended stoutly in patches, a lapse at a crucial moment proved costly in Udine, where Italy’s quality in the final third ultimately decided the outcome.
What this means for Italy’s qualification bid
Italy’s victory keeps their bid in sight but their path is narrow. With Moldova to come away from home and a showdown against group leaders Norway on the horizon, Italy will likely need Estonia to disrupt Norway in Oslo to maintain a realistic chance of automatic progression. The group remains wide open, but the scale of Norway’s advantage in goal difference means every point counts, and Italy must combine efficiency with belief in their attacking options.
Looking ahead
Italy now prepare for Moldova in Chisinau before the anticipated rank-order clash with Norway in Milan on November 16. If Italy can replicate the finishing touch shown by Retegui and maintain the defensive resolve seen in the late stages, they will keep their European qualification dream alive, albeit with a long road still to travel.
Conclusion: a necessary step forward
In a match dominated more by strategic control than free-flowing football, Italy earned three points that were essential for keeping their 2026 World Cup ambitions afloat. Retegui’s brace and Mancini’s late header provided the spark, but the broader question remains: can this side sustain performance levels against tougher opponents as the calendar turns toward readier autumn fixtures?
