A triumphal evening for the Italian national team, which on the fourth day of the Nations League dominated Israel with a clear 4-1, consolidating first place in its group. The Azzurri, led by Luciano Spalletti, showed off a convincing performance, showing character and quality of play, and now see the quarterfinals ever closer.
Compared to the victory against Belgium, CT Spalletti made some changes to the starting eleven: Vicario, making his official debut as a starter for the national team, took the place of Donnarumma, stopped by a warning, while Fagioli and Raspadori were deployed in place of Ricci and the suspended Pellegrini.
The start is all in favor of Italy, who impose their rhythm from the first minutes, but it is Israel who creates the first thrill. A ball lost in midfield by Fagioli gives Madmon a good opportunity: his shot, however, only grazes the post. Once the danger has passed, the Azzurri immediately return to grinding out the game, with rapid and precise exchanges. In the quarter of an hour Di Lorenzo launches Retegui in depth, but Glazer, the Israeli goalkeeper, is careful to close the space. The opposing number one repeats himself shortly after, denying the joy of a goal first to Retegui and then to Tonali.
Italy ahead with Retegui on penalty: 1-0 at half time
At the half hour mark, Frattesi came close to taking the lead, arriving late on a low cross from Dimarco. Shortly after, Retegui put the ball on the outside of the net. The goal was in the air and came in the 39th minute: contact between Dor Peretz and Tonali in the Israeli area led the referee to award a penalty. Retegui did not miss and with a precise shot into the top corner, he put Italy ahead.
In the second half, Italy continued to push and found the second goal in the 54th minute with Di Lorenzo, who was good at heading in a free kick taken by Raspadori. The Azzurri seemed to be in total control, but in the 66th minute Israel closed the gap thanks to a goal directly from a corner kick by Abu Fani. Vicario was blocked in the area by Baltaxa, but despite the silent check by VAR, the referee validated the goal.
Frattesi and Di Lorenzo close it out: Italy beats Israel 4-1
Italy did not let themselves be intimidated and in the 72nd minute they re-established the two-goal advantage. Dimarco found Frattesi with a precise pass: the midfielder did not miss, also helped by an uncertainty from Glazer, who until that moment had been impeccable. In the final minutes there was room for the debuts of Daniel Maldini and Lorenzo Lucca, with the latter making his debut in his home stadium.
Maldini himself took center stage with a decisive move: a spectacular nutmeg freed Udogie, who set up Di Lorenzo for his brace and the final 4-1. Italy thus closed out an important match with a convincing performance and many positive signs for the future. The quarterfinals are now just around the corner, with the Azzurri continuing to grow under Spalletti , demonstrating quality and depth in their squad.
Great victory for Italy, we are on the right track!