How did Kean lead Italy to victory while Kosovo shocked Sweden?
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Synopsis
In an electrifying match, Moise Kean's two goals helped Italy secure a breathtaking 5-4 victory over Israel, underlining Gennaro Gattuso's remarkable coaching skills. Meanwhile, Kosovo stunned Sweden with a 2-0 win, marking a historic moment for the team. Catch all the action from this thrilling day of FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Key Takeaways
- Moise Kean scored twice, leading Italy to a thrilling victory.
- Sandro Tonali netted the dramatic late winner for Italy.
- Kosovo achieved a historic win against Sweden, marking their second qualifying victory ever.
- Italy is now second in Group I, with six points from six.
- Switzerland and Denmark also claimed important victories in their respective groups.
New Delhi, Sep 9 (NationPress) Gennaro Gattuso has continued his impressive tenure as the coach of Italy, with Moise Kean shining brightly by scoring twice in a thrilling 5-4 triumph over Israel during the European Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, propelling Italy to second place in Group I.
Italy managed to edge out this electrifying match, achieving a perfect six points from their two games under Gattuso’s leadership. An accidental sliding effort from Manuel Locatelli allowed Israel to take an early lead in Debrecen, but after hitting the crossbar, Moise Kean quickly brought Italy level.
Following a dazzling display from Manor Solomon, Dor Peretz smashed the ball into the top corner, regaining the lead for Israel, only for Kean to respond once more. Matteo Politano then stylishly volleyed Italy ahead after a magnificent flick from Mateo Retegui, before Giacomo Raspadori added a clever close-range finish, as reported by FIFA.
An own goal from Alessandro Bastoni reduced Italy's lead, and Peretz equalized again following a brilliantly executed free-kick. Just as time was running out, however, Sandro Tonali delivered a stunning curler from outside the box to secure a dramatic late winner.
In another exciting development, Kosovo achieved only their second-ever FIFA World Cup qualifying victory with a 2-0 win against Sweden in Group B.
Kosovo stunned Sweden in Ljubljana, earning three points from two matches while leaving their opponents with just one point.
Both goals came from swift, box-to-box counter attacks. The first goal was fortunate, as Elvis Rexhbecaj's shot rebounded off goalkeeper Robin Olsen and into the net. Vedat Muriqi scored the second thanks to clever play from Albion Rrahmani.
Franco Foda's men defended staunchly in the second half, with Ilir Krasniqi effectively neutralizing Viktor Gyokeres. Although Kosovo substitute Lindon Emerllahu received a red card for a second yellow, Sweden couldn't take advantage.
Other notable victories included Switzerland, Denmark, Croatia, Scotland, and the Faroe Islands, all contributing to a thrilling day of UEFA qualifying.
Breel Embolo maintained his scoring streak as Switzerland climbed to the top of the table with a solid 3-0 win over Slovenia in Group B.
Mikkel Damsgaard and Andreas Christensen netted spectacular goals to secure Denmark’s first victory in Group C, with Rasmus Hojlund completing a 3-0 triumph in Greece.
Kristijan Jakic scored a stunning goal as Croatia defeated 10-man Montenegro 4-0, overtaking Czechia on goal difference.
Scotland celebrated their first win of the qualifiers with a 2-0 success over Belarus in Group C.
The Faroe Islands achieved a double over Gibraltar with a narrow 1-0 victory at Europa Point Stadium.
Point of View
We remain committed to delivering unbiased coverage of sports events. The thrilling performances of Italy and Kosovo in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers not only highlight the excitement of international football but also showcase the potential for underdogs to shine on bigger stages. We stand with our nation and celebrate these remarkable achievements.
NationPress
09/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Italy vs. Israel match?
Italy won 5-4 against Israel in a thrilling European Qualifier.
Who scored the winning goal for Italy?
Sandro Tonali scored the dramatic winning goal for Italy.
How many goals did Moise Kean score?
Moise Kean scored two goals in the match against Israel.
What was Kosovo's score against Sweden?
Kosovo defeated Sweden 2-0 in their qualifying match.
Which teams secured victories in the UEFA qualifiers?
Switzerland, Denmark, Croatia, Scotland, and the Faroe Islands also won their matches.
