UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Italy scores with a header during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Giovanni Di Lorenzo scored twice, with Mateo Retegui and Davide Frattesi also on target, as Italy swept aside Israel 4-1 to top the Nations League group.

The Azzurri lost their perfect record with a 2-2 draw against Belgium when down to 10 men, so Lorenzo Pellegrini was suspended as Giacomo Raspadori, Guglielmo Vicario and Nicolò Fagioli came into the starting line-up. Israel were at rock bottom, but scored in all three games and were missing Manor Solomon, Omri Gandelman, Miguel Vitor, Shawn Goldberg, Eli Dasa and Roy Revivo, while Dean David asked to be left out of playing time.

Watch how it unfolded on the Live Blog.

Oscar Gloukh had the first chance, drilling inches wide from the edge of the penalty area after Fagioli’s mistake in midfield, while Glazer ran off his line to prevent Mateo Retegui from scoring one-on-one after a pass from Giovanni Di Lorenzo .

Riccardo Calafiori found himself on the touchline moments later to cross for Raspadori, but the ball was almost cleared off the line.

Italy had a beautiful team move with one-touch football from Alessandro Bastoni and Raspadori, resulting in Retegui’s shot being knocked over by Glazer.

The goalkeeper also threw himself into the path of Sandro Tonali’s finish from six yards after a through ball from Raspadori.

Dimarco controlled a long pass from Raspadori and rolled it across the goal, but Davide Frattesi and Retegui both failed to make the most of it as they slid inside.

Gloukh turned again from a promising position, but Tonali got a poor clearance just inside the area for Dor Peretz and was awarded a penalty. Retegui sent Glazer down with a stuttering run-up before driving him home into the top corner for the second time in a row in Italy.

Italy doubled their lead after half-time when Raspadori floated a free-kick into the penalty area from his Napoli teammate Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s header from six yards into the ground. He was the captain tonight, marking his first goal since November 2022.

However, Israel reaffirmed their tendency to score in every Nations League match as Mohammad Abu Fani rolled in straight from the corner flag. Vicario complained of being hampered by Matan Baltaxa, but just as we have seen playing for Tottenham several times this season, the referee and VAR ruled it was fair pressure.

Italy almost restored the two-goal lead moments later, but Glazer flew for a sensational fingertip save from Alessandro Bastoni’s looping header.

The goal did come when Calafiori spread play down the left for Dimarco, who rolled to Inter teammate Frattesi and fired in the first time.

Daniel Maldini made history when one family represented Italy for the first time with three generations, following in the footsteps of father Paolo – in the stands – and grandfather Cesare.

The 23-year-old made an immediate impact, with his nutmeg sending Destiny Udogie down the left and pulling back for Di Lorenzo to complete his first Italy brace.

Italy 4-1 Israel

Retegui-pen 41 (It), Di Lorenzo 54, 79 (It), Abu Fani 66 (Is), Frattesi 72 (It)

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