We're too fragile, says Gattuso after Italy avoid disaster in World Cup qualifying

Sandro Tonali’s last-gasp winner edged Italy to a 5-4 victory over Israel in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Monday, while Kosovo beat Sweden despite Alexander Isak making his first appearance of the season.

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After collapsing from leading 4-2 in the final two minutes to drawing 4-4, Tonali’s 91st-minute strike in the Hungarian city of Debrecen sent Italy above Israel and into the playoff spot in Group I.

New coach Gennaro Gattuso’s side trail leaders Norway by three points and still have a chance of taking first place and the group’s sole direct qualifying spot as they seek to avoid missing out on a third-consecutive World Cup finals appearance.

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

Israel, whose players donned black armbands in honour of the victims of Monday’s deadly shooting at a bus stop in east Jerusalem carried out by Palestinian gunmen, took an early lead through an own-goal.