Israel and Italy clash on the pitch and manager rages as World Cup qualifier ends in chaos

Israel and Italy players clashed on the pitch following their World Cup qualifying match on Monday evening. The match, which was played in Hungary, proved to be a scintillating affair, with the Italians overturning a deficit on two occasions to claim a 5-4 victory.

Italy went into the encounter searching for their third win of the qualifying campaign after losing to Norway in their opening match, ahead of victories against Moldova and Estonia. But Israel took the lead early on as Manuel Locatelli turned the ball into his own net. Moise Kean levelled the game before half-time, before the home side regained their advantage just after the break courtesy of a strike from Daniel Peretz.

Kean equalised again soon afterwards, with Italy then taking control through goals from Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori as they eased into a 4-2 lead.

But Israel were given a chance to share the spoils when Alessandro Bastoni became the second player of the evening to score an own goal. And the hosts thought they had claimed a point when Peretz scored for a second time in the 89th minute.

However, Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali won the game for Italy in stoppage time at the end of the match.

There appeared to be anger amongst some players after the final whistle, with a number of stars remonstrating with each other on the pitch.

There were chaotic scenes around the centre circle, with substitutes and backroom staff also wading in.

And Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso even confronted one Israel player as he attempted to make his thoughts known.

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"They surprised us a bit at the beginning, even if we put them in difficulty when we developed," Gattuso explained after the match.

"The leg today was not very bright. It's okay, the second game [of the international break] is always like this. We keep a fundamental victory, but we are crazy - we have conceded absurd goals.

"We have to improve in this aspect because we are too fragile. The boys know it but it's my problem, not theirs."

The former AC Milan and Rangers midfielder added: "Credit must be given to the boys for reacting after every goal.

"The fact is that you can't concede goals like today's. It's not a criticism of the players, but something of mine that we have to improve.

"Although it was not a great day, we had mentality, there was heart and energy. In a match like this you also need a bit of cunning at 4-2, but now let's enjoy the victory. I will thank the boys. If we want to do something important we have to improve, but the boys know it."