A 3-0 loss to Norway in June left Italy's qualification campaign in trouble. More difficulties were in store when Israel twice took the lead in a game held in neutral Hungary. Moise Kean found space among the Israeli defense to score each side of halftime, leveling the score on both occasions. Matteo Politano finally gave Italy the lead in the 59th minute off a backheeled flick assist from Mateo Retegui, and Giacomo Raspadori scored a fourth.