The World Cup is still a long way off, but at least the play-offs are guaranteed. Italy beat Israel by three goals to nil in Udine. This is the fourth win in the Gattuso era and ensures that the Azzurri will, at least, make the play-offs in March. Though Norway will need to drop points against Estonia on 13 November in order for primacy in Group I to be put into discussion, which would make the game at the Meazza three days later a real final showdown.

Don’t let the result deceive you, however, as it was far from a walk in the park. The Azzurri had to dig in and took the lead through a Retegui penalty on the stroke of half-time. The Azzurri’s number 9 then scored a stunning goal to double the hosts’ lead, before Mancini made it 3-0 in stoppage time. Gigio Donnarumma also starred, making decisive saves to deny Solomon and Gloukh.

“We played well,” said Gennaro Gattuso. “I need to congratulate the boys, because we had it all to lose today. They covered a lot of ground. The spirit was there, and not having conceded is important. Gigio made a couple of good saves. Locatelli played well, and Raspadori, despite struggling, did what he had to do.” Twelve points and 16 goals scored, these are the numbers of the Gattuso era. “But we have to know how to dig in; not many teams in world football can dominate a game. We have the quality in possession; now we just need to be compact and work bit by bit.”

Mateo Retegui scored his third Italy brace and proved that he can still find the net without Kean alongside him. “I’m really happy; we’re doing great work. We’re growing, and we’re learning what the coach wants. This is a strong team. We’re putting up great numbers in attack, and today, the defence did well to keep a clean sheet. Now, we need to rest and improve, keeping our feet on the floor.”

BACK THREE AND THREE CHANGES. Gattuso went with a 3-5-2 today, in the hopes of limiting Israel’s widemen, Solomon and Khalaili, who proved once again that they are adept at beating their man. There were three changes to the starting XI from Tallinn: Mancini at centre-back to replace the suspended Bastoni, Cambiaso on the right, and Locatelli in midfield. Without the injured Kean, Retegui’s strike partner was Raspadori, with Pio Esposito ready to come off the bench.

After a painful moment in memory of three carabinieri, who passed away overnight during an operation in Verona, Italy looked to get into the opposition penalty area straight away. In the sixth minute, Retegui fired wide from a Tonali cross, before Cambiaso flashed just wide moments later following a great bit of football on the edge of the area. As it was a month ago in Debrecen, Ben Shimon’s side were dangerous on the counter, and in the 18th minute, Gloukh missed the target. Donnarumma came up trumps ten minutes later, keeping out a Solomon effort that seemed destined to go in. The Azzurri certainly didn’t have it all their own way, and Khalaili created a big chance for Baribo, who failed to connect with the header.

SUPER RETEGUI. With the danger overcome, Italy took the lead just seconds before the half-time whistle. Retegui won his second penalty in three days. Much like in Tallinn, he stepped up to take it, but this time, he went to the other side and converted the spot kick. That was the 100th penalty Italy have scored in history, as well as the Al-Qadsiah striker’s tenth goal in an Azzurri shirt, among them was the opener against Israel in the Nations League one year ago - also a penalty, and also in Udine.

After taking the lead, Gattuso decided to push the team further up the pitch, sending Pio Esposito on for Raspadori. The Inter striker, again, proved that he can play with his back to goal, holding it up for the onrushing Tonali; the ball was blocked, and Barella sent his effort over the bar on the rebound. Another chance fell the way of Gloukh due to an Italy error, but Donnarumma made another excellent stop. Israel knew that only a win would help them, and Ben Shimon sent on Turgeman, Abu Fani and Turiel in the hopes that it would spark the comeback. And it was the latter who gave the ball to Retegui on the edge of the area, and the Italy striker punished the area, unleashing a stunning curling effort into the top corner. The Italy number 9 turned provider, setting up Esposito to potentially make it 3-0, but Glazer made the save. Calafiori had a go, only to have his header cleared off the goal line. Cambiaghi and Piccoli came on in stoppage time, before Mancini scored the hosts’ third, heading home from a Dimarco cross.

PLAY-OFFS GUARANTEED. We’re back in a month for the final two group-stage fixtures. On 13 November, before their game in Chisinau, the Azzurri will learn their fate. If Norway beat Estonia in Oslo, Italy won’t be able to finish first, even if they beat Moldova and the Scandinavians at San Siro. The goal difference favours Haaland and co too heavily should the two teams finish level on points. Should that be the case, the Azzurri would need to go through the play-offs if they want to make it to America next Summer.

ITALY 3-0 ISRAEL (ht 1-0)

ITALY (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Calafiori; Cambiaso (84’ Spinazzola), Barella, Tonali (90’+2 Cambiaghi), Locatelli (84’ Cristante), Dimarco; Raspadori (46’ Esposito), Retegui (90’+2 Piccoli). Subs.: Meret, Vicario, Coppola, Gabbia, Udogie, Frattesi, Orsolini. Coach: Gattuso.

ISRAEL (4-3-3): Glazer; Dasa, (89’ Mizrahi), Baltaxa, Blorian, Revivo: E.Peretz (75’ Abu Fani), Gloukh, Khalaili (72’ Toriel); Biton, Baribo (72’ Turgeman), Solomon (89’ Shua). Subs.: Da. Peretz, Tzur, Gandelman, Azoulay, Noy, Gropper, Stoinov. Coach: Ben Shimon.

Goals: 45’+2 pen. and 77’ Retegui (IT), 90’+3 Mancini (IT).

Referee: Turpin (France); Assistants: Danos and Pages (France); Fourth official: Letexier (France); VAR: Dechepy (France); AVAR: Van Driessche (Belgium).

Notes: 9,965 spectators. Bookings: Biton (IS), Tonali (IT), Barella (IT).