Italy secured at least a FIFA World Cup playoff spot after defeating Israel 3-0 in a qualifier on Tuesday, a match overshadowed by large-scale pro-Palestinian protests and security measures in the city of Udine. A brace from Mateo Retegui and a late goal from Gianluca Mancini sealed the victory, but the on-field action was just one part of a tense evening that saw thousands demonstrate against Israel's participation.
On the pitch, Italy eventually broke down a resilient Israeli defence just before halftime when Retegui converted a penalty. He scored his second goal in the 74th minute with a curling effort from the edge of the area before defender Gianluca Mancini added a third with a header in stoppage time. The win places Italy second in Group I with 15 points, guaranteeing them at least a playoff berth, while the defeat ends Israel's qualification hopes.
Hours before kick-off, thousands of demonstrators marched through Udine, demanding that FIFA suspend Israel from international competition over its actions in Gaza, drawing parallels to the bans imposed on apartheid-era South Africa and Russia. Protesters carried banners with slogans such as "Show Israel the red card." One demonstrator, Valentina Bianchi, stated, "There can be no peace without justice," reflecting the sentiment of the crowd.
The city was transformed into a security fortress, with over 1,000 police and army personnel deployed, helicopters overhead, and snipers reportedly positioned on rooftops. Concrete barriers and checkpoints were established in a "red zone" around the stadium, contributing to a low attendance of around 9,000 fans. While the march was largely peaceful, it ended with clashes as some protesters threw firecrackers at police, who responded with water cannons and tear gas.
After the match, Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso focused on his team's performance under pressure. "We really played the game we needed to play. We had everything to lose today. We played very, very well," he said. The result keeps Italy in the hunt for automatic qualification, though they remain three points behind group leaders Norway with two matches left to play.
