"Italy kept alive their faint hopes of qualifying automatically for the 2026 World Cup as they beat Israel 3-0 despite an underwhelming display in Udine. In front of a paltry crowd of around 9,000 in Udinese's 25,000-capacity Stadio Friuli, Gennaro Gattuso's team found the victory they needed but not a performance to inspire confidence ahead their meeting with group leaders Norway in November. Mateo Retegui scored a brace, the first a penalty in added time at the end of the first half before finally settling his team's nerves with a lovely curling finish in the 74th minute."
"They finally got their break in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Working the ball in from the left flank, Giacomo Raspadori knocked it into the feet of Retegui inside the box. As he sought to turn, a clumsy challenge from Matan Baltaxa sent him to the floor, the defender going through the back of the Al-Qadsiah striker in a doomed effort to reach the ball. Retegui picked himself up and drilled an excellent penalty into the top corner to make it 1-0."
Italy beat Israel 3-0 in Udine to preserve slim hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The match attracted around 9,000 spectators at Stadio Friuli and featured an underwhelming Italian performance. Mateo Retegui scored twice, converting a stoppage-time first-half penalty and adding a curled finish in the 74th minute. Gianluca Mancini added a stoppage-time header to seal the result. Gianluigi Donnarumma made important saves, including a fingertip stop from Manor Solomon. Italy now face Moldova and a decisive match against Norway, and will likely need Norway to drop points to stay in contention.
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