In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Italy’s thrilling victory over Israel was a true spectacle on the field, with a stoppage-time winner guaranteeing a 5-4 victory in Hungary after three goals in five minutes. However, it has been tainted by off-field antics, with manager Gennaro Gattuso at the centre of things.
Only a last-minute goal put Italy within striking distance of Erling Haaland’s team after they had to play catch-up to the Nordic nation in the qualifications after losing to Norway in June. However, when it came to Israel, they were involved in unpleasant full-time situations that dominated the game’s conversation.
Israel versus Italy Controversial, Gattuso’s After-Full-Time Actions Create a Spark
Gattuso started the feud on Monday by pointing to the ongoing tension in the Middle East when he said that Italy’s World Cup qualification group draw against Israel was “unlucky.” According to the Azzurri legend:
“Watching children and civilians go through what they are is awful. The fact that we were in the same group as Israel was just unfortunate.
“We are powerless to change that. All I can say is that what we see is painful.
References to their role in Gaza were also made throughout the game itself. Italy supporters demonstrated against the Israeli national anthem in front of the crucial qualifier in Hungary, which was held in Debrecen due to security concerns.
Following the October 7 Hamas strikes, fans held up several banners with “stop” signs, calling on Israel’s government officials to end the war, which has been going on for two years, citing a humanitarian catastrophe and demands for a ceasefire during that 23-month period.
The atmosphere on the field was unaffected by the fact that the game was played in front of a mostly deserted stadium. Israel took two leads before Italy took a 4-2 lead. However, two late goals from the Middle Eastern team put the score at 4-4 going into extra time.
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United, however, defied expectations by winning in the 91st minute, sparking an altercation on the pitch.
But it was national team manager Gattuso who was primarily involved, not the players. He reportedly told the forward, “Shut your mouth, little s**t,” during a verbal altercation with 21-year-old Israel attacker Dor Turgeman on the pitch at full time.
Nicolo Barella of Italy and Inter Milan became involved, while Tai Baribo of Israel intervened to diffuse the conflict between Gattuso and Dorgeman.
Israel’s players are not pleased with Italy’s actions.
After the game, Israel’s captain Eli Dasa spoke out about what transpired between the two teams, saying that his nation had moved on from the loss to Italy. He also discussed Gattuso’s actions following the final whistle. He stated:
They got into a heated dispute because they were so emotional.
They attempted to stir things up a little because they believed we should have won and they weren’t in the game. As it is a component of football, we proceeded.
Italy’s team ‘cursed at them’ for the entire match, according to many Israel players, it was later reported.
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