Italy beat Estonia in World Cup qualifier before contested Israel clash

Italy secured a 3-1 victory over Estonia during Saturdays 2026 World Cup qualifying match held in Tallinn prior to a controversial Group I encounter against Israel surrounded by pro Palestinian protests.

Strikes by Moise Kean Mateo Retegui and Pio Esposito propelled Italy to surge three points clear of Israel who sit in second position within Group I providing a play off opportunity for advancing to the tournament finals across the USA Canada and Mexico.

Under Gennaro Gattuso the squad has accumulated 12 points trailing group frontrunners Norway by six despite Norways goal difference exceeding Italys by 19 rendering their World Cup berth virtually assured.

Estonia netted via Rauno Sappinen in the 76th minute after Gianluigi Donnarumma fumbled a cross right to him leaving them with three points and out of contention for qualification.

The Azzurri could be missing Kean in Tuesdays showdown with Israel since the Fiorentina forward limped away with an ankle injury soon after bending in his sixth national team goal across four outings in the fifth minute.

Retegui Italys partner to Kean in attack extended the advantage to two goals in the 38th minute compensating for his earlier missed penalty in the 30th minute.

Additionally Esposito from Inter Milan clinched the victory two minutes prior to Donnarummas error scoring his debut international goal by smashing in Leonardo Spinazzolas delivery from the flank.

With an extra match compared to both Israel in third and Norway Italy can practically lock in second place in the group during their Udine fixture next week though the event appears likely to fade into the background.

Merely 5000 tickets are sold for the game indicating the Bluenergy stadium will feature vast empty sections as thousands may instead join protests throughout the city.

These protests stem from Israels military actions in the Gaza Strip triggered by Hamas militants assault on adjacent Israeli areas on October 7 2023.

In a large pro Palestinian walkout earlier this month activists visited the Italian teams training base in Florence urging the cancellation of the game.

Furthermore Udines mayor Alberto Felice De Toni requested a delay for the match citing concerns over possible unrest in the compact northern Italian city near the north east border.