Sandro Tonali's Late Strike Saves Italy With Thrilling 5-4 Win Over Israel

Sports Football

Posted by AI on 2025-09-09 04:11:19 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-09 11:04:55

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Israel pushed Azzurri to the limit with a dramatic finale in Reggio Emilia knocking Italy perilously close to the brink of qualification but Sandro Tonali saved the day with a 95th-minute winner.

Italy needed a win going into the game in order to remain in contention for qualification and to avoid the unthinkable, and despite taking an early lead, they allowed Israel back into the match, with substitute Dor Peretz even giving the visitors a 4-3 lead with just seven minutes remaining.

It looked like Italy would have to settle for a point and hope for a favorable result in the other group match between Spain and Sweden. But then, in the 95th minute, Tonali scored the goal that kept Italy's Euro hopes alive, avoiding what would have been a crushing blow.

This was not how Italy imagined the match would go. With just two minutes gone, Italy took the lead through a familiar face, finding the net against Israel for the 12th time in 14 meetings. It was none other than Giorgio Chiellini, who else, to score the goal, a powerful header from a corner.

The hosts took a 2-0 advantage into the break as Ciro Immobile tapped in from close range following a Leonardo Bonucci shot that rebounded off the post.

The second half turned into a shootout, with substitutes finding the net for both teams. Shiloh Jakson pulled one back for Israel, and then Italy's Leonardo Pavoletti reduced the deficit to one just two minutes later.

With seven minutes to go, Peretz scored on the rebound to put Israel ahead for the first time since the 9th minute, sending Italian fans into a state of panic and despair.

But Tonali had not come on to the pitch to be a mere spectator. In the 95th minute, the midfielder whipped in a pinpoint shot to save Italy and send the fans into euphoria.

Italy lives to fight another day, but it will need to hope for a better result in any future matches if it is to qualify for the Euro 2022 finals.

Speaking after the match, Tonali, who has become a national hero in Italy overnight, said: "We never gave up, we never stopped running, we believed until the end that we could win and we did that with a special goal.

"We'll enjoy this victory tonight and think about the next match tomorrow."

Next up for Italy is a home match against Sweden on Tuesday. It's a must-win game for both sides, but after this thrilling victory, Italy will at least go into that match with confidence.

Go!