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Italy extended their unbeaten record to six matches against Israel (W5, D1) after a 2-1 away day success at the Bozsik Arena in Budapest. Having only lost once across their previous 13 UEFA Nations League group-stage encounters (W7, D5), Italy unsurprisingly threatened first in the Hungarian capital.
Following his stunning strike against France, Federico Dimarco was nearly at it again shortly after the quarter-hour mark, however, on this occasion, the forward-flying full-back fired his effort inches over Yoav Gerafi’s crossbar. Amid a quick intervention from VAR as they nonchalantly turned down Italy’s appeals for a penalty kick, Raoul Bellanova would spurn a gilt-edged chance to put the Azzurri ahead, slicing his shot at the back post horribly wide, despite having the glory of hitting the back of the net at his mercy.
Nonetheless, the visitors’ unparalleled attacking dominance paid dividends in the 38th minute as Davide Frattesi expertly diverted Dimarco’s deliciously delivered first-time cross past Gerafi. Following their failure to register a shot on target throughout a frustrating first half, Israel manager Ran Ben Shimon took a drastic course of action during half-time by introducing both Mahmoud Jaber and Oscar Gloukh.
However, it was goalscorer Frattesi who nearly doubled his and Italy’s tally in the 52nd minute, only for Gerafi to deny the midfield maestro another introduction onto the scoresheet with a stunning save. Nonetheless, Gerafi was helpless to prevent Moise Kean from marking his return to the Azzurri XI with a goal shortly after the hour-mark as he calmly slotted home the rebound after Giacomo Raspadori’s initial effort had been kindly palmed into his path by the Israeli keeper.
Following their failure to register a shot on target throughout a frustrating first half, Israel manager Ran Ben Shimon took a drastic course of action during half-time by introducing both Mahmoud Jaber and Oscar Gloukh. However, it was goalscorer Frattesi who nearly doubled his and Italy’s tally in the 52nd minute, only for Gerafi to deny the midfield maestro another introduction onto the scoresheet with a stunning save.
Nonetheless, Gerafi was helpless to prevent Moise Kean from marking his return to the Azzurri XI with a goal shortly after the hour-mark as he calmly slotted home the rebound after Giacomo Raspadori’s initial effort had been kindly palmed into his path by the Israeli keeper.
