Italy's Davide Frattesi and Moise Kean secured a 2-1 win over Israel on Monday as Luciano Spalletti's side maintained their perfect record to remain top of Nations League A Group 2.
Italy lead the standings on six points after they stunned France 3-1 in their opening game on Friday.
France are second on three points, level with third-placed Belgium whom they beat 2-0 in the group's other game while Israel are bottom without a point.
Frattesi gave Italy the lead before the break when he bundled the ball home with his chest from close range and Kean made it 2-0 from a rebound just after the hour mark.
Israel reduced the deficit in the 90th minute through Mohammed Abu Fani, who found the net from the edge of the box after the hosts, staging the game in Budapest, Hungary for security reasons, won a free kick.
Italy were also without defender Riccardo Calafiori, who missed out with a calf strain.
Frattesi, who also found the net in the win against France, remains the top scorer of Spalletti's Italy with six goals, after the Italian coach took over in August 2023.
Kean scored Italy's second in the 62nd minute after Gerafi dived to deny an effort by Giacomo Raspadori but did not manage to save the follow-up by Kean, who struck powerfully with first touch.
The second goal saw Italy start moving with much more confidence and they were close to adding a third but Sandro Tonali's low close-range strike was on the minimal offside.
Instead, Israel ensured a nervy ending when they pulled a goal back just before the final whistle as they continued to maintain a fair share of possession against their more experienced opponents.
Israel were defeated 3-1 by Belgium on Friday in their first-ever game in League A after they gained promotion to competition's top tier having won their League B group in 2022-23.
Italy's shaky performance
Despite the win, Italy's performance was not as dominant as their victory over France. There were moments where the team looked shaky and struggled to maintain control of the game. This is something that Spalletti will need to address in the upcoming matches.
Kean and Frattesi shine
Moise Kean and Davide Frattesi were the stars of the show for Italy. Kean was clinical in front of goal, scoring Italy's second goal. Frattesi, who has been in impressive form since Spalletti took over, continued his good run with a goal and a strong all-around performance.
Israel show fight
Israel, despite being defeated, showed a great deal of fight and determination. They were not afraid to go toe-to-toe with the Italian giants and created several chances. The Israeli team will be looking to build on this performance and get their first points in the competition.
What's next for Italy and Israel
Italy will be looking to continue their winning streak when they take on Belgium in their next match. This will be a crucial clash as both teams are aiming for a top-two finish in the group. Israel, meanwhile, will be aiming for their first win of the competition when they face France in their next match.
Looking ahead to the next matches
The next round of Nations League matches will take place on September 12th and 13th. It will be a crucial round as teams will be looking to gain momentum and improve their standings in the group.
Italy's Nations League campaign
Italy's Nations League campaign has begun well with two wins from two matches. The team has shown its strength and ability to score goals, but they will need to maintain their focus and consistency if they want to reach the knockout stages of the competition.
Key Takeaways
Italy's victory over Israel was a significant result. It shows that the team is capable of winning games even when they are not at their best. The performance of Kean and Frattesi was a positive sign for Italy. The Israeli team showed that they are not to be underestimated.
Final Thoughts
The Nations League is a prestigious tournament and Italy are looking to make a strong run in the competition. Their victory over Israel was a step in the right direction. They will need to continue to build on this momentum and improve their consistency if they want to achieve their goals.
