Captain Di Lorenzo keeps Italy top of the 'Group of death'

Italy maintained their lead at the top of UEFA Nations League Group A2 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Israel — marking their sixth win in seven meetings between the two sides. The defeat inches Israel closer to relegation.

Despite the bookmakers' predictions of a straightforward win for Italy, Israel showed early resilience. They nearly took the lead within the first 10 minutes when Nicolò Fagioli lost possession in midfield to Gavriel Kanichowsky, allowing Oscar Gloukh to break forward and fire a shot just wide of the post. However, Italy quickly seized control of the match, and Mateo Retegui twice tested Omri Glazer with impressive close-range saves.

Germany defeat Netherlands to reach quarterfinals

Glazer continued to be Israel's last line of defense, denying Sandro Tonali after he was set up by Retegui. But the mounting pressure eventually paid off for Italy when a clumsy challenge by Dor Peretz on Tonali resulted in a penalty. Retegui stepped up confidently, firing into the top corner to put Italy ahead. Although Italy only led by a single goal, they soon doubled their advantage just 10 minutes into the second half when Giovanni Di Lorenzo headed in a cross from Giacomo Raspadori.

Israel struggled to threaten in attack, but found an unexpected lifeline when Mohammad Abu Fani’s corner kick floated directly into the net. Despite protests from Italy that Guglielmo Vicario was impeded, the goal stood. The setback spurred Italy into action, and they quickly restored their two-goal cushion as Davide Frattesi slotted home Federico Dimarco’s cross, reaffirming his status as Italy's top scorer under coach Luciano Spalletti.

Any lingering hopes of an Israeli comeback were extinguished when Di Lorenzo struck again, this time hammering in from a cutback by Destiny Udogie, sealing the result. The defeat was Israel’s fourth in a row in this Nations League campaign, leaving them likely facing direct relegation to League B, if not a playoff. Italy, on the other hand, are nearly assured of a spot in the quarter-finals, extending their unbeaten home streak to nine matches.

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE - League A

Saturday

Croatia - Scotland 2-1 (1-1)

/Matanovic 36, Kramaric 70 - Christie 32/

Poland - Portugal 1-2 (0-2)

/Zielinski 78 - Bernardo Silva 26, Ronaldo 37/

Serbia - Switzerland 2-0 (1-0)

/Elvedi 45+1 og, Mitrovic 61/

Spain - Denmark 1-0 (0-0)

/Zubimendi 79/

Monday

Germany - Netherlands 1-0 (0-0)

/Lewelling 63/

Belgium - France 1-2 (1-1)

/Openda 45+3 - Kolo Muani 35 pen, 62/

Italy - Israel 4-1 (1-0)

/Retegui 41 pen, Di Lorenzo 54, 79, Frattesi 72/

B&H - Hungary 0-2 (0-1)

/Szoboszlai 38, 50 pen/

Tuesday

21:45: (5.20) Scotland (3.80) Portugal (1.75)

21:45: (1.30) Spain (5.80) Serbia (12.0)

***odds are subject to change***