Italy 3-0 Israel: Retegui shines as Italy earn a playoff place

Mateo Retegui’s brace proved decisive in Italy’s 3-0 win over Israel in Udine, securing a play-off place for the Azzurri and ending Israel’s hopes of World Cup qualification.

Italy lacked cohesion in the first half, with Israel’s Manor Solomon coming close to opening the scoring. However, Retegui’s penalty just before half-time gave the hosts the lead.

Despite Israel’s efforts to find an equaliser, Retegui doubled his tally with a spectacular second before Gianluca Mancini’s stoppage-time header sealed the result.

As It Happened

The away side had a sloppy first half, save for Sandro Tonali setting up Retegui for a one-on-one with goalkeeper Omri Glazer and his one-two with Andrea Cambiaso to fire a vicious effort wide from 20 yards.

Knowing that a win would take them level on points with the hosts in second, Israel’s brave high press dispossessed the hosts several times and created several good chances.

A high ball over the top caught out Riccardo Calafiori, inviting midfielder Anan Khalaili to run in behind and cross into Gloukh, but he could only whip the shot inches wide of the post.

Israel ramped up the pressure further, breaking away on the counter with Italy short at the back and forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma to tip over Manor Solomon’s shot inside the penalty area.

Yet they were awarded a penalty in the final minute of the first half when Retegui was caught by centre-back Matan Baltaxa, stretching for the ball.

The 26-year-old dispatched it with certainty, beating Glazer by sheer power to earn his fourth goal in as many starts for his country.

Dan Biton was desperately calling for a penalty three minutes after the restart, claiming that Tonali pushed him over from behind – it appeared that there was not enough contact to send him to the ground.

Nicolo Barella had hearts in mouths for the away fans as the ball bounced kindly before him 20 yards out, hitting a first-time volley narrowly over.

Israel were demanding a penalty of their own when Baribo went down just short of the six-yard box, claiming that Gianluca Mancini held him to prevent the shot, but the protests were waved away.

Donnarumma then had to keep out Gloukh, smothering his shot from inside the box after being picked out by Baribo on the right.

Retegui notched his second on 74 minutes by showing great determination to close down a poor touch from Stav Turiel, then curling an exquisite shot into the top right corner with Glazer rooted in place.

It could have been three late on when Glazer gave possession away inside his own box, yet recovered well with a sprawling save to deny substitute Francesco Esposito from point-blank range.

Mancini then put the result beyond doubt, meeting a great cross from Federico Dimarco on the right wing to notch a third with a bullet header.

Retegui’s brace ultimately proved the difference as Italy earned a playoff place in their World Cup qualifying campaign, ending Israel’s hopes of reaching their first World Cup since 1970. As for Gennaro Gattuso’s men, they stand a chance of reaching their first World Cup since 2014.

The Lineups