Football isn't just about the scoreline. If you only looked at the history of the israel national football team vs italy national football team, you’d probably think it’s a totally one-sided affair. On paper? Yeah, Italy usually wins. But if you actually watched the 5-4 thriller in September 2025, you know the "underdog" label doesn't really cover what happened on that pitch in Debrecen.
Italy is the blue-blooded royalty of European football. Four World Cups. A defensive tradition that feels like it was carved out of Carrara marble. Israel, meanwhile, is often the team just trying to gatecrash the party. Yet, lately, these matches have turned into absolute chaos.
The Night Everything Went Haywire
Let's talk about that World Cup Qualifier on September 8, 2025. Honestly, it was the kind of game that makes managers lose their hair. Israel didn't just show up; they walked into the stadium and decided to trade haymakers with one of the best teams on the planet.
Israel actually led 1-0. Then 2-1.
The Italians, coached by the legendary firebrand Gennaro Gattuso, looked genuinely rattled. Manuel Locatelli accidentally turned the ball into his own net early on, and for a solid thirty minutes, the Azzurri looked like they’d forgotten how to play. Then came the Moise Kean show. The guy was possessed, scoring twice and dragging Italy back into it.
But Israel wouldn’t die. Dor Peretz—who is basically the heartbeat of that midfield—scored twice. When he headed in the equalizer in the 89th minute to make it 4-4, the stadium went quiet. People were checking their phones to see if they were dreaming. It took a desperation strike from Sandro Tonali in stoppage time to save Italy's skin. 5-4. Nine goals. In a qualifier. That just doesn't happen.
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Italy's Dominance vs. Israel's Resilience
While the 2025 matches were wild, the overall record still leans heavily toward Rome.
- Total Meetings: 7
- Italy Wins: 6
- Draws: 1
- Israel Wins: 0
The only time Israel truly "stopped" the machine was way back in the 1970 World Cup, a 0-0 draw that remains a point of massive pride for Israeli fans. Since then, it’s been a series of "almosts."
In the 2024 UEFA Nations League, Italy took both legs (2-1 and 4-1), but the scores felt closer than they were. Israel has this weird knack for scoring "collector's goals"—like Mohammad Abu Fani’s strike through a forest of legs that beat Gianluigi Donnarumma. They might lose, but they usually make the Italians sweat.
The Gattuso Era vs. Ran Ben Shimon
Under Gattuso, Italy has moved away from the boring, ultra-defensive "Catenaccio" style. They press high. They take risks. That’s why you see scores like 5-4. Gattuso admitted after that game that his team was "crazy" to keep attacking, but that’s just the DNA now.
Ran Ben Shimon, the Israel coach, has built a team that thrives on the counter-attack. They have Manor Solomon, who can turn a defender into a pretzel, and Oscar Gloukh, who is basically a 21-year-old magician in the number 10 role. They know they can’t out-possess Italy, so they wait for that one lazy back-pass from Nicolo Barella and pounce.
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Key Players Who Define the Matchup
If you're watching these teams play today, keep your eyes on a few specific names. For Italy, Mateo Retegui has become the clinical finisher they’ve lacked for a decade. He bagged a brace in the most recent 3-0 win in Udine (October 2024). He’s efficient. He doesn't need ten chances; he needs one.
For Israel, it’s all about Omri Glazer in goal. When you play Italy, your keeper is going to be busy. Glazer has made some "how did he do that?" saves against the likes of Raspadori and Zaccagni. Without him, those 2-1 losses would easily be 5-0 blowouts.
Why This Rivalry is Moving the Needle
Why does this matter? Because the gap is closing.
Historically, Italy vs. Israel was a "skip" game for most fans. Not anymore. The tactical shift in Israel’s development—focusing on technical youth like Anan Khalaili—means they aren't just parking the bus anymore. They are playing "brave" football.
Italy, on the other hand, is in a transition. They missed the 2022 World Cup, and the pressure to never let that happen again is suffocating. Every game against a team like Israel is a potential landmine. If they slip up, the Italian press will tear them apart before they even get back to the locker room.
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Tactical Breakdown: What to Watch For
When these two meet, watch the wings. Italy loves to use Federico Dimarco as a secondary playmaker. He’s a left-back, but he spends half the game in the opponent's final third.
Israel counters this by tucking their wingers in and creating a mid-block "cage" for Italy's midfielders. It’s a game of cat and mouse. If Italy gets through the middle, it's over. If Israel forces them wide and wins the ball back, Solomon and Gloukh are off to the races.
Real Talk on the Standings
As of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Italy is sitting second in Group I, trailing slightly behind a resurgent Norway. Israel is third. They are fighting for that playoff spot, meaning every goal—and every yellow card—is magnified.
- Italy's Form: W-W-W-L-W
- Israel's Form: L-L-W-W-L
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are looking to bet on or analyze the next israel national football team vs italy national football team fixture, here are three things to keep in mind:
- Don't expect a clean sheet. Italy’s new aggressive style under Gattuso leaves gaps. Israel has scored in four of their last five meetings. "Both Teams to Score" is usually a safe bet.
- Watch the 75th-minute mark. Italy tends to sub in fresh legs like Destiny Udogie or Bryan Cristante late in the game to overpower tired Israeli defenders. Most of Italy's goals in this matchup come in the final 20 minutes.
- The Neutral Venue Factor. Because of the security situation, many of Israel's "home" games are played in places like Budapest or Debrecen, Hungary. This strips away the home-field advantage and usually favors the more experienced Italian side.
The narrative that Italy always cruises to an easy win is dead. While they still hold the trophy, Israel has proven they can turn a standard qualifier into a nightmare for the giants. Next time they're on the schedule, don't just check the score—watch the game. You might see nine goals again.
To stay ahead of the curve on this matchup, you should track the injury status of Manor Solomon and Mateo Retegui leading up to matchday, as their presence fundamentally alters how both teams structure their transitions. You can also analyze the recent xG (expected goals) data from their Nations League encounters to see if Israel's scoring trend is sustainable or just a run of clinical luck.