Italy moved within touching distance of the Nations League quarter-finals after Giovanni Di Lorenzo s double powered them to a 4-1 triumph over Israel on Monday.
Luciano Spalletti s side will need just a point from either of their last two matches in November to secure progression after a convincing victory in Udine that pushed Israel further towards relegation.
Israel goalkeeper Omri Glazer provided stern resistance in the first half before Mateo Retegui s penalty, awarded for a foul by Dor Peretz on Sandro Tonali, broke the deadlock four minutes before the interval.
Captain Di Lorenzo doubled his side s advantage before the hour, powering a header in from close range after Giacomo Raspadori s inviting free-kick, though Israel halved the deficit with 24 minutes remaining.
Mohamed Abu Fani s corner sneaked past all inside the area, including Guglielmo Vicario, whose appeals for a foul by Dor Peretz were ignored by the officials.
That visiting hope was short-lived, however, as Davide Frattesi swept home a first-time finish from Federico Dimarco s low cross just six minutes after Abu Fani s bizarre goal.
Di Lorenzo capped the scoring 11 minutes from time, profiting from Destiny Udogie s powering run before receiving possession on the edge of the area and drilling into the bottom-left corner.
Leading by example
— Italy (@Azzurri_En)
Data Debrief: Superior finishing the difference
Spalletti will be delighted by his side finishing the game when in control, unlike what they were able to do in Thursday s 2-2 draw with Belgium, largely thanks to the excellence of Di Lorenzo.
The Italy captain scored twice from just two attempts that were worth 0.28 expected goals (xG), suggesting Di Lorenzo s quality of finishing far exceeded the chances on offer.
Since his first goal with the Azzurri, in September 2021 against Lithuania, Di Lorenzo s five goals are also the most by an Italy defender in that period with Dimarco next on three.
