SANDO TONALI SAVES ITALY FROM DISASTER

Sandro Tonali wheeled off in celebration in stoppage time when his speculative effort went through a sea of legs and into the net to win a rollercoaster of a match in Debrecen.

Sandro Tonali earned Italy a thrilling 5-4 win against Israel with the decisive late strike.

Sandro Tonali earned Italy a thrilling 5-4 win against Israel on Tuesday (IST) with the decisive late strike in the 2026 World Cup qualifier just as it looked like the Azzurri were plunging into another crisis. Newcastle United midfielder Tonali wheeled off in celebration in stoppage time when his speculative effort went through a sea of legs and into the net to win a rollercoaster of a match in Debrecen, Hungary, which Italy looked to have thrown away. The Azzurri, who have missed the last two World Cups, were leading 4-2 in the 81st minute when substitute Giacomo Raspadori rolled home almost immediately after replacing the impressive Moise Kean, who netted Italy's first two goals.

However, a clumsy Alessandro Bastoni own-goal and Dor Peretz's header drew Israel level before Tonali's fortunate effort moved Italy up to second in Group I -- level on nine points with Israel who have played a game more -- and in the play-off spot.

"We'll take the win which was crucial for us, but we're completely nuts, nuts because we conceded some absurd goals," said Gennaro Gattuso.

"We need to work on that because we're too fragile, we concede goals too easily. The boys know that, but this is my problem to fix.

"You have to give credit to the boys because every time they took a slap they had the courage to react and fight back." 

Italy trail leaders Norway by three points and still have a chance of taking first place and the group's sole direct qualifying spot.

But new coach Gattuso has a lot to think about ahead of October's return fixtures with Estonia and Israel, whose players donned black armbands in honour of the victims of Monday morning's deadly shooting at a bus stop in east Jerusalem carried out Palestinian gunmen.

Nominal home team Israel would have been good value for the draw, as Kean had previously twice pulled Italy out of the mire following Manuel Locatelli's early own-goal and a fabulous Dor Peretz strike in the 52nd minute in a largely empty Nagyerdei Stadium.

Italy rocked

Monday's match had cast a political cloud over Gattuso's first fixtures in charge of Italy due to Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The small group of Italian fans present turned their backs to the pitch during the Israeli national anthem, while boos also rang out from sections of the stadium, before then holding up banners which read "stop".

And the Italians on the pitch looked equally uninterested in the match come kick-off, with Israel snappier and more aggressive than the four-time world champions.

The nominal home had already had a goal disallowed by the time Locatelli bundled Dan Biton's cross into his own net.

Locatelli almost made up for his own-goal when he struck the bar with an acrobatic volley in the 31st minute, seconds before Kean wasted a great opportunity from a Gianluca Mancini cut-back.

But 10 minutes later Kean thumped a low drive past Daniel Peretz after collecting a knockdown from strike partner Mateo Retegui.

And Kean came to the rescue again nine minutes after the break, levelling with another powerful low shot just seconds after Peretz put Israel ahead for the second time with a brilliant first-time effort.

Politano finally put Italy ahead with a great volley after more fine work from Retegui, and when Raspadori rolled home the fourth it seemed the away team looked out of the woods.

But it took Tonali's unusual winner to finally secure the three points after uncharacteristically bad defending nearly left Italy's hopes of qualification hanging by a thread.

- Agency France-Presse 

MANCHESTER UNITED TARGET SPEAKS OUT ON FUTURE AHEAD OF RELEASE CLAUSE DEADLINE

Moise Kean had a brilliant last season with Fiorentina (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United target Moise Kean has suggested his immediate future lies with Fiorentina, with Tuesday a pivotal day in his career.

The Italy international was in fine form for Fiorentina last season , scoring 19 Serie A goals and 25 in all competitions.

He joined La Viola last year after a poor run at Juventus, but his career has returned to an upward trajectory in Florence, with only Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui (25) out-scoring him in Serie A.

Unsurprisingly the 25-year-old’s form has attracted attention, with Manchester United thought to be interested in signing Kean this summer.

Interest is particularly high as a release clause in the striker’s contract with Fiorentina means he is available for a fee of €52million (£44.5m) between July 1-15.

It is hardly pocket change, but could prove to be great value in today’s transfer market.

Kean has spoken out on his future ahead of that release clause expiring on Tuesday and it sounds like he is very happy at Fiorentina and not looking to leave.

Speaking at an event to unveil manager Stefano Pioli on his return to the club, Kean said: ‘I’m very motivated to move forward. Fiorentina has given me so much and has always supported me.

‘Now it’s important to return with renewed motivation and give my best for Fiorentina.’

That is not to say that clubs will not attempt a late move for the Italian before his release clause deadline, but the player does not appear to be pushing for a move.

A return to the Premier League now looks unlikely this summer, with Kean having a forgettable spell at Everton from 2019-21.

Moise Kean in the Premier League

Kean signed for Everton from Juventus in August 2019 for an initial £25.1m, before returning to the Turin club two years later.

His stint in England was underwhelming to say the least.

Apps: 32

Goals: 2

Assists: 2

Moise Kean during his Everton stint in 2020 (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United continue to look for a new striker, with their pursuit of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo continuing but dragging somewhat.

Two bids have been rejected by the Bees and a third is expected, but the player is reportedly frustrated with how long the process is taking.

The Cameroon international remains keen on the switch to Old Trafford and he is the Red Devils’ number one target, but negotiations have been slow.

- Phil Haigh

GERMANY SURVIVE ITALY SCARE TO MAKE NATIONS OK LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS

Germany survived a spirited second-half fightback from Italy, letting a three-goal lead slip to draw 3-3 in Dortmund on Sunday, before reaching the Nations League semi-finals 5-4 on aggregate.

AFP

Germany survived a spirited second-half fightback from Italy, letting a three-goal lead slip to draw 3-3 in Dortmund on Sunday, before reaching the Nations League semi-finals 5-4 on aggregate. A first-half Joshua Kimmich masterclass, with a penalty and two assists for Jamal Musiala and Tim Kleindienst, had Germany 3-0 up and cruising at the break. However, injury-hit Italy kicked into gear in the second half, Moise Kean scoring a double to rattle the hosts. Italy looked on course to level the scores when they were awarded a penalty with 73 minutes gone, but it was overturned by VAR. 

Giacomo Raspadori then converted a stoppage time penalty to give Italy a glimmer of hope. 

The result not only secured Germany a first-ever Nations League semi-final spot, where they will face Portugal, but it means the remainder of the tournament will be held on German soil, in Stuttgart and Munich in June. 

Despite the second-half scare, the victory continues Germany's resurgence under Julian Nagelsmann. 

Germany's only loss in their past 17 matches came in extra-time at Euro 2024 against eventual champions Spain in the quarter-finals. 

Nagelsmann said Germany "learned lessons for our development" from the game, adding "we know how well we can play football -- but we have to show it throughout the game. 

"I'm going home with an understanding of what we're capable of, but it's also nice that we've got a bit more to do," he said.

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti admitted his side lacked "maturity" and said "you always learn from games like this."

"The second half was very good, but we were too afraid to play like that for the whole game."

'Something impossible'

Italy travelled to Dortmund, the site of their 2006 World Cup semi-final win over the same opponents, with a mountain to climb. 

After letting a one-goal lead slip to lose in Milan in the first leg, Italy saw defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Andrea Cambiaso added to an injury list which already included striker Mateo Retegui and left-back Federico Dimarco.

Spalletti spoke pre-match of needing to do "something impossible" and his side were up against it from the get-go as Germany burst out of the blocks.

With Musiala on top form and Nico Schlotterback sending in penetrating passes from the deep, Germany's breakthrough came from the spot. 

Alessandro Buongiorno brought down a surging Kleindienst in the box and Kimmich converted, just the fourth penalty for either club or country in the 30-year-old's career.

After an acrobatic save to keep out a Kleindienst header by Gianluigi Donnarumma, the quick-thinking Kimmich played the ball fast from the ensuing corner. 

The move caught the Italians napping, with Musiala tapping in from close range as the Italian goalkeeper was still remonstrating with the referee.

Nagelsmann said the quick thinking was "world-class and unbelievably smart," and admitted "I didn't see it at all."

In the final minute of the half, Donnarumma palmed away a Kleindienst header, but this time could not keep it out, with the home crowd erupting as the referee pointed to his watch to show the ball had crossed the line. 

Germany dropped in intensity in the second half and the Italians pounced, Kean latching onto a loose ball and blasting home after 49 minutes.  

Spalletti brought on Raspadori and the Napoli man had an immediate impact, threading a pass for Kean to curl a ball past Oliver Baumann's outstretched arm with 68 minutes played. 

The stunned Germans were shocked further five minutes later when they conceded a penalty, but the spot kick was overturned by VAR. 

The Italians did eventually get a spot kick in stoppage time, with Raspadori converting, but it was too late as Germany held on to progress on aggregate.

- Agence France-Presse