TALLINN, Oct 12 — Italy boosted their chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup play-offs with a 3-1 victory over Estonia in Tallinn yesterday, ahead of a tense Group I encounter with Israel that is expected to coincide with pro-Palestinian protests.
TALLINN, Oct 12 — Italy boosted their chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup play-offs with a 3-1 victory over Estonia in Tallinn yesterday, ahead of a tense Group I encounter with Israel that is expected to coincide with pro-Palestinian protests.
Goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, and Pio Esposito sealed the win, lifting Italy three points clear of Israel in second place — the position that secures a play-off spot for qualification to the finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side now sit on 12 points, six behind group leaders Norway, who boast a vastly superior goal difference and are virtually assured of a place at the World Cup.
Estonia’s only goal came in the 76th minute through Rauno Sappinen after goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma mishandled a cross. The home team, on three points, are now out of contention.
“I’m very pleased — we’re on the right path. The players showed commitment and professionalism,” said Gattuso. “We’re improving with each game, but the second match in a break often proves more challenging.”
Italy could be without Kean for Tuesday’s clash with Israel after the Fiorentina striker limped off with an ankle injury shortly after scoring his sixth goal in four games for the national team in just the fifth minute.
Retegui doubled Italy’s advantage in the 38th minute, redeeming himself after missing a penalty earlier in the match. Esposito then sealed the result two minutes before Donnarumma’s error, netting his first international goal from Leonardo Spinazzola’s cross.
Italy have a game in hand over both Israel and Norway and can strengthen their grip on second place when they host Israel in Udine next week. However, the match is expected to unfold amid unrest.
Only 5,000 tickets have been sold for the fixture at Udine’s Bluenergy Stadium, leaving large sections of empty seats as thousands are expected to protest in the city.
The demonstrations are tied to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, launched after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks on Israeli communities. Earlier this month, during nationwide pro-Palestinian strikes, demonstrators gathered outside Italy’s training base in Florence to demand the match’s cancellation.
Udine’s mayor, Alberto Felice De Toni, has also called for the game to be postponed, citing fears of potential violence in the small northeastern city. — AFP
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