Davide Frattesi and Moise Kean’s first Italy goal in three years sealed a 2-1 win over Israel, as the Azzurri take control of their Nations League grou

The game was played on neutral turf at the Boszik Arena in Budapest.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

Raoul Bellanova had to make a crucial interception to stop Manor Solomon being sent clear by Gavriel Kanichowsky’s intelligent through ball, while Federico Dimarco fired over from a tricky angle on a free kick.

Alessandro Bastoni was taking the more advanced role usually held by Calafiori and whipped a cross from the left that was inches beyond a Davide Frattesi tap-in from six yards.

There was a big chance for Israel on 31 minutes with a rapid counter-attack, finalised by Manor Solomon blasting off target.

Italy broke the deadlock with a curious goal, as Dimarco got down the left and whipped in a cross that his Inter teammate Frattesi cushioned in from six yards off his chest, as it was too low for the header and too high for a volley. It consolidated Frattesi’s status as top scorer under Luciano Spalletti with six goals.

Moments later, Raspadori cut inside and his deflected effort was smothered. After the restart, Frattesi almost got another when sent through by his Inter teammate Alessandro Bastoni in a very advanced role, forcing a save at the near post.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was called into action too on 54 minutes, as Dor Peretz’s scuffed finish was flicked on from close range by Sagiv Jehezkel.

Soon after, Federico Gatti had to make a decisive block on Liel Abada, who had managed to turn and shoot from eight yards.

Instead, Italy doubled their lead when Frattesi sent Raspadori through the centre, his effort was parried into the path of Kean to score from eight yards. It was the new Fiorentina striker’s first Italy goal in precisely three years.

Tonali also tested the shot-stopper from the edge of the box and had the ball in the net on 75 minutes, but was offside on the Kean assist.

Marco Brescianini went on a solo run to go down between two defenders, but Revivo got the ball.

Italy again failed to keep a clean sheet, because a free kick was flicked on by two Israeli heads until Mohammad Abu Fani was quickest to react, firing through a sea of legs from 14 yards.

Israel 1-2 Italy

Frattesi 38 (It), Kean 62 (It), Abu Fani 90 (Is)

Luciano Spalletti hailed the ‘maturity’ of his Italy side to beat Israel 2-1 and soar to the top of the Nations League group. ‘Players are now following positions they have at club level.’

 

It was a second consecutive victory in the Nations League, but yet again no clean sheet for the Azzurri, who conceded from Mohammad Abu Fani in the final minute.

Davide Frattesi had cushioned a Federico Dimarco cross with his chest to open the scoring, before Moise Kean broke his three-year Italy goal drought.

Spalletti sees a new Italy emerging

“It was a splendid game, because there were so many dangers that we talked about and we saw them tonight, especially in the first half,” Spalletti told RAI Sport.

“They sit deep, you might be tired and not make the right decisions, there is a lot of traffic in the middle, so it becomes difficult to find those passing channels.”

This was the first time that Italy had fielded five players from the start born on or after the year 2000, but it was maturity that the coach praised.

“The fact that the players were organised, ordered and waited for the right moment was a sign of great maturity.”

The move to a 3-5-2 formation proved decisive for the Nazionale after a dismal EURO 2024, inspired also by the way many of the Serie A clubs already play.

“In tactical terms, the lads did well to know their positions, but then they are now following the positions they have at club level. They know where the other will be and we saw that passing much better in the second half,” concluded Spalletti.