Matteo Politano finally broke his long goal drought for the Italian national team in dramatic fashion, finding the back of the net during Italy’s thrilling 5-4 victory over Israel in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The Napoli forward’s strike was not only special because it ended his personal dry spell, but it also proved to be a decisive moment in a roller-coaster encounter.
His goal gave Italy the lead for the first time in a match that was filled with twists, relentless attacks, and late drama. For Politano, the night was a reminder of resilience, patience, and the joy of wearing the Azzurri shirt.
A Wild Night in Israel
Speaking after the match, Politano admitted he was astonished by how chaotic and unpredictable the game turned out to be.
“It was crazy—an unbelievable match where literally everything happened,” he told RAI Sport. “But in the end, the most important thing is that we managed to take all three points home.”
The game truly had it all: Israel took the lead twice, Italy fought back to go ahead 4-2, only to see their advantage slip away as the hosts equalized 4-4. It wasn’t until Sandro Tonali’s last-minute strike in stoppage time that Gennaro Gattuso’s side secured the dramatic win.
Four Years Without a Goal – Finally Over
For Politano personally, the goal was a moment of relief and celebration. The 31-year-old attacker hadn’t scored for Italy since May 2021, a gap so long that even he admitted he couldn’t remember the last time he celebrated in Azzurri colors.
“I honestly couldn’t even remember when I last scored for Italy!” Politano confessed with a smile. “That’s why I’m so happy—not just for the goal, but also because of how we faced these last two matches.”
The drought may have been long, but the timing of his strike could not have been better, as it injected confidence into Italy during a high-pressure qualifier.
Building the Right Mentality Under Gattuso
Beyond his goal, Politano was quick to emphasize something he believes is even more crucial: the attitude and mentality the squad showed over the past two games.
“This is the right spirit,” he said firmly. “We showed determination, never gave up, and kept pushing until the very end. That’s the kind of mindset we need if we want to achieve something important.”
For Politano, Italy’s character is now becoming their greatest strength, a trait that has been reinforced under new coach Gennaro Gattuso, who only recently took charge of the national team.
Work Still to Be Done
Despite the euphoric win and his personal success, Politano was realistic about Italy’s current flaws. He openly admitted that the team remains far from perfect and still has a lot of adjustments to make.
“We haven’t been working with the coach for long, so there’s still plenty of work to do,” he explained. “We conceded too many goals, and that’s something we must improve. But our character and determination made the difference tonight.”
With the European qualifiers heating up and the World Cup in sight, Italy still has defensive gaps to address. However, Politano’s confidence in the squad’s fighting spirit suggests that Gli Azzurri are on the right track to finding balance.
Matteo Politano’s long-awaited goal for Italy wasn’t just a personal milestone—it symbolized the persistence, grit, and resilience of an Italian side that continues to adapt under Gennaro Gattuso. The Napoli winger has reminded fans that experience, patience, and team spirit can shape crucial victories, especially in matches as unpredictable as the 5-4 battle against Israel.
As Italy moves forward in their qualification campaign, Politano’s strike could mark the beginning of a new chapter—not just for him, but for the Azzurri’s ambitions on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
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