It was a Friday (5th) with ten matches in the European Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Highlight for the four-time World Champion Italy, which had Gattuso’s debut as coach.
Without participating in the World Cup since 2014 – when they performed poorly – the Azzurra needed to win WELL against Estonia to keep real chances of fighting for the direct spot in Group I.
Playing at the Gewiss Stadium, Atalanta’s home, the hosts were dominant.
Karl Hein, the rival goalkeeper, was being the “villain”.
Regulations 📝
Only the leader of each of the 12 groups goes directly to the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
The 12 teams that finish in second place in their respective groups will be joined by the four best from the Nations League who did not qualify in 1st or 2nd in the Qualifiers for a playoff that will guarantee four more spots.
Persistence, tension, and relief
The first half in Bergamo had a total of 26 shots from Italy.
Nine of them were on target, defended by Hein, a player from Werder Bremen.
He was the main protagonist of the night.
The second half came, and with it, the well-deserved Italian goals.
Kean opened the scoring. A cross from the left, a deflection by Retegui, and a goal by the Fiorentina striker (58′). Shortly after, he almost scored another by hitting the post.
📸 ANDREAS SOLARO – AFP or licensors
The situation improved at 69′, when Retegui – who was the top scorer in Serie A with Atalanta before moving to Al-Qadsiah – fought and resolved with skill by scoring from outside the area.
The third was by Raspadori (71′), taking advantage of a cross.
Retegui would score another at 89′. A perfect pass from Bastoni and a perfect cross from Cambiaso.
And it was up to Bastoni to rise alone to complete (92′).
They won big, but…
Italy’s situation is still far from comfortable.
The leader of Group I is Norway, which had a break and has 12 points after four matches played. Their goal difference is 11.
The runner-up – who would be securing a spot in the playoffs – is Israel, which won 4-0 over goalless Moldova and reached nine points in the same four matches.
Italy reached six points after three games. They have a goal difference of four, one less than Israel’s.
The next match will be precisely against Israel, on Monday (8th), and played in Hungary.
Italy will have three more games until they meet Norway again, their nemesis in a 3-0 defeat in the opening round. It could be the decisive match for the direct spot.
France debuts with a win
Most teams are playing only their first game in the Qualifiers. Like France.
Playing as visitors in Poland, they defeated Ukraine 2-0. Thanks to goals from Olise and Mbappé.
Mbappé scored his 51st goal for France. Matching Henry. Only Giroud (57) has more.
📸 Mateusz Slodkowski – 2025 Getty Images
Dembélé was brought on for the second half but left the game at 81′ with a possible injury. Ekitike came in.
Other results 👇🏽
Switzerland vs Kosovo – Group B
Slovenia vs Sweden – Group B
Greece vs Belarus – Group C
Denmark vs Scotland – Group C
Iceland vs Azerbaijan – Group D
Faroe Islands vs Croatia – Group L
Montenegro vs Czech Republic – Group L
Saturday’s games – 9/6
10am – Latvia 🆚 Serbia – Group K
1pm – England 🆚 Andorra – Group K
1pm – Armenia 🆚 Portugal – Group F
3:45pm – Ireland 🆚 Hungary – Group F
3:45pm – Austria 🆚 Cyprus – Group H
3:45pm – San Marino 🆚 Bosnia – Group H
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
📸 Mattia Ozbot – 2025 Getty Images
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