Italy win a crazy game, Ivanovic leads Croatia to fourth victory

Italy produced one of the most thrilling matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign so far, edging Israel 5-4 in a game full of twists, drama, and late goals.

For long stretches, it looked as though Gennaro Gattuso’s side might stumble again, but the Azzurri eventually found enough resilience to secure a crucial three points that keeps them firmly in contention in Group I.

The clash, played in Debrecen, Hungary Israel’s temporary home ground due to political circumstances quickly turned into a rollercoaster of emotions. Italy found themselves on the back foot early when Manuel Locatelli, usually a reliable figure in midfield, accidentally diverted the ball into his own net in the 16th minute, giving Israel a surprise 1-0 lead. The setback unsettled the Italians, who struggled to assert themselves in possession against an Israeli side full of energy and determination.

Just before halftime, however, Italy found a way back into the game. Moise Kean, who has been under pressure to deliver consistently at international level, struck in the 40th minute to restore parity. His goal lifted the Azzurri, but any hope that Italy would go on to dominate after the break was quickly shattered. Only seven minutes into the second half, Dor Peretz produced a fine finish to put Israel 2-1 up, sparking jubilation among the home supporters.

The response from Italy was immediate and ruthless. Within five frantic minutes, the visitors completely flipped the contest. Kean scored again in the 54th minute, this time with a clinical finish that showcased his growing confidence, before Matteo Politano added another in the 59th to give Italy their first lead of the evening. From that point, many expected Gattuso’s men to close the game out comfortably, but the final ten minutes delivered chaos.

Giacomo Raspadori’s 81st-minute strike seemed to have put the result beyond doubt at 4-2, but defensive lapses dragged Italy back into trouble. Alessandro Bastoni, under pressure, put the ball past his own goalkeeper in the 87th minute, and just two minutes later, Peretz struck again to make it 4-4 in a stunning turnaround. Israel appeared on course for a heroic draw, only for Italy to snatch victory at the death. Sandro Tonali, showing composure and vision, fired home in stoppage time (90’+1), sparking wild celebrations and immense relief on the Italian bench.

The result lifts Italy to second in the group with nine points, tied with Israel but trailing leaders Norway by three. For Gattuso, who has been under scrutiny since taking charge, the dramatic win offers some breathing space but also underlines the defensive frailties his team must resolve if they are to secure a smooth qualification path.

Elsewhere in the qualifiers, Croatia extended their perfect start in Group L, dismantling Montenegro 4-0 in Zagreb. With Benfica’s Ivanovic included in the starting XI, Zlatko Dalić’s side showcased their efficiency and depth. Jakic broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, before Montenegro’s task became nearly impossible when they were reduced to ten men in the 42nd. After the interval, Kramaric added a second (51’), before a late own goal by Kuc (85’) and a stoppage-time strike from Ivan Perisic (90’+2) sealed a comfortable win. Croatia now top the group with 12 points from four games, looking every bit the seasoned tournament side they have become in recent years.

The group also saw the Faroe Islands pick up a valuable away win over Gibraltar, courtesy of Agnarsson’s goal in the 68th minute. It was a reminder of the steady progress the Faroese have made in recent qualifying campaigns.

In one of the night’s biggest shocks, Kosovo stunned Sweden 2-0 in Pristina. Goals from Rexhbecaj (26’) and Muriqi (42’) secured a famous win, sending shockwaves through Group B. Sweden, considered favorites to push for automatic qualification, now face serious questions about their consistency and approach. For Kosovo, the result represents one of their most significant victories on the international stage, highlighting the nation’s growing presence in European football.

Group B leaders Switzerland further cemented their position with a commanding 3-0 victory over Slovenia. Elvedi (16’), Embolo (33’), and Ndoye (38’) all struck in the first half, effectively putting the contest beyond reach by halftime. The Swiss have looked one of the most assured teams in the qualifiers so far, combining defensive solidity with clinical attacking play.

Denmark, too, enjoyed a productive evening, brushing aside Greece 3-0 in Piraeus. Featuring Sporting’s Hjulmand and Porto’s Froholdt in the lineup, the Danes dominated proceedings. Damsgaard opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, Christensen doubled the lead in the 62nd, and Hojlund wrapped things up in the 81st. The Greeks, who included Sporting’s Ioannidis as a substitute and started with Vagiannidis and Benfica striker Pavlidis, struggled to match Denmark’s pace and organization, leaving them with work to do in their qualifying campaign.

Finally, Scotland continued their solid run with a 2-0 victory away to Belarus. Che Adams struck in the 43rd minute before a Volkov own goal in the 65th sealed the win. The Scots remain on track to push for qualification, demonstrating consistency and resilience in their performances.

Overall, the night of qualifiers delivered a mix of expected results and dramatic surprises. Italy’s nine-goal thriller will dominate headlines, but Kosovo’s shock win over Sweden may prove just as significant in shaping the path to the 2026 World Cup.