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Post publish 9 Sep 2025 : by âď¸ Amandeep Sangha
Worldofthesports Presents:â˝
Chaos in Debrecen, Glory in Pristina: Italy Survives Nine-Goal Thriller as Kosovo Stuns Sweden in World Cup Qualifying Madness
The 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the World of Sports saw unprecedented drama on Monday, with Italy narrowly escaping a crushing defeat with a stunning 5-4 win over Israel, while Kosovo eased their qualifying campaign to a shock 2-0 defeat against Sweden. The results reshaped the landscape of UEFA’s Group I and Group B, mixing heart-stopping moments with masterclasses and shocking errors.
đĽ Italyâs Rollercoaster Ride: Five Goals, Two Own Goals, One Miracle :
â˝ in a match that resembled a chaotic pinball machine, Italy’s bid to avoid a third consecutive World Cup absence hung by a thread – until Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali scored the winner in the 91st minute from outside the box. The game was well-paced until then.
- â Two own goals by Italy (Manuel Locatelli and Alessandro Bastoni) .
- â Moise Keanâs brace to twice cancel out Israelâs lead .
- â Israel’s Dor Peretz equalised in the 87th minute, followed by a header in the 89th minute that sealed Italy’s fate, until Tonali’s heroic performance.
Italyâs coach Gennaro Gattuso summed it up :
We are completely crazy… we conceded absurd goals”. The win moves Italy into second place in Group I, three points behind Norway but with one game still to play
Kosovo’s Amazing Win: How a Well-Organized Team Beat Big Names :
Kosovo’s national team showed everyone how teamwork and smart planning can beat even the most famous players. While Italy was struggling in their match, Kosovo was playing one of their best games ever against Sweden
Hereâs what made their victory so special :
- â They Stuck to the Plan:Â The coach set up the team to be organized and disciplined. Every player knew exactly what job they had to do.
- â They took their chances: They didn’t get many scoring chances, but when they did, they looked brilliant. The first goal came from reacting quickly to a loose ball.
- â Their Star Player Stepped Up:Â Vedat Muriqi, their most experienced striker, scored a fantastic goal at a crucial time just before halftime, which gave the whole team a huge boost.
- â They Defended as a Unit:Â Even when Sweden had the ball, Kosovo’s defenders and midfielders worked together to block spaces and make it incredibly difficult for them to create good chances.
- â They Never Gave Up:Â Even after a player was sent off near the end, the team fought with everything they had to protect their lead and secure the historic win.
This victory wasn’t about one superstar; it was about eleven players on the pitch and even more on the bench all working together. It proves that with heart, hard work and a smart strategy, anything is possible in football. This victory will give the entire country of Kosovo great pride and confidence for the future.
đ Changes in group standings: Looking ahead?
Group I :
Team Points Goal Difference
Norway 12 +11
Italy. 9. +5
Israel. 9 +4
vs
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Group B :
Team points Goal Difference
Switzerland 6. +7
Kosovo 3 -2
Sweden 1 -2
đĽ A big picture in the world of sports: the drama, emotions and impact of football :
- Italyâs Fragility: Despite the win, defensive lapses remain a concern. Israelâs neutral-site “home” game in Hungary (due to geopolitical tensions) added symbolic weight to the thriller.
- Kosovo’s rise: This was only their second win in World Cup qualifying, a testament to their hard work.
- Swedenâs Crisis: With Isak lacking match fitness and the team generating just 0.71 xG, manager Jon Dahl Tomasson faces mounting pressure.
.đŁď¸ Voices from the Pitch :
1 Moise Kean (Italy):Â âBelieving until the end is the beauty of football. We brought home the resultâ.
2 Jon Dahl Tomasson (Sweden): On Isakâs cameo:Â âHe had no pre-season… no playing timeâ.
⥠What to see next :
- â October 11: Italy vs. Estonia; Kosovo vs. Slovenia.
- â Switzerlandâs dominance in Group B could face a challenge if Kosovo maintains this form.
Final Thoughts: Last night in the world of sports football was everything that makes football great. We saw our goals so amazing, a last-minute winner, and a small team rising to beat a giant. It was a perfect reminder that anything can happen in this game. For Italy, it was a small save, they survived. For Kosovo, it was a night to remember, they found glory. And for all of us watching? It was just heart-pounding excitement.
Stay updated with live coverage and analysis from reuters , bbc and the guardian.
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