Italy all but seal their Nations League quarter-final place with a resounding triumph over Israel.

Italy doth continue to reign supreme atop UEFA Nations League Group A2, with a 4-1 thrashing of Israel — their sixth victory in seven encounters against this foe — thereby casting Israel ever nearer to the precipice of relegation.

By the reckonings of the oddsmakers, this contest was foretold to be no true struggle, with Italy’s triumph presumed nigh inevitable. Yet, Israel, spurred by such dismissive predictions, nearly found the net within the opening ten minutes, much to the surprise of all onlookers.

Nicolo Fagioli was dispossessed in the midst of the field by Gavriel Kanichowsky, whereupon Oscar Gloukh seized the opportunity, surged forth, and sent forth a shot that flew but a hair’s breadth wide of the mark. From that moment onward, however, it became a relentless siege upon Israel’s goal, with Mateo Retegui twice compelling Omri Glazer to deliver remarkable saves from perilously close range.

The Israeli keeper was again summoned to action, thwarting Sandro Tonali after a deft pass from Retegui, as the weight of Italy’s attacks grew unyielding. At last, their persistence bore fruit, though in a manner touched by fortune, as Dor Peretz’s clumsy foul on Tonali within the box awarded Italy a penalty.

Retegui, with calm confidence, took charge from twelve yards, sending the ball soaring into the upper corner, well beyond the helpless Glazer. Though Italy held but a single-goal advantage, they were ne’er ones to grow complacent. And within but ten minutes of the second half’s beginning, they did double their lead, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo heading in Giacomo Raspadori’s well-placed cross.

Throughout the encounter, Israel’s offensive ventures were scarce, yet they were gifted an unusual reprieve when Mohammad Abu Fani’s corner flew directly into the net. Despite fervent protests from the Italian side, claiming Guglielmo Vicario had been fouled, the goal was upheld.

Momentarily unsettled by this unexpected concession, Italy swiftly rekindled their dominance, restoring their two-goal advantage in but a few moments. Davide Frattesi, their leading scorer under new manager Luciano Spalletti, struck home Federico Dimarco’s cross with precision.

Any flickering hopes Israel might have clung to were promptly snuffed out when Di Lorenzo unleashed a thunderous shot from Destiny Udogie’s assist, thus putting to rest any notion of a comeback.

This defeat marked Israel’s fourth in succession in this Nations League campaign, leaving them, at best, to face the prospect of a relegation play-off, though an immediate descent to League B seems more likely. Italy, meanwhile, stand on the cusp of a quarter-final berth, extending their unbeaten home streak to nine matches.