Italy guarantee World Cup playoff spot with 3-0 win over Israel
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Italy's Manuel Locatelli in action.
PHOTO: REUTER
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UDINE, Italy - Italy beat Israel 3-0 at home on Tuesday thanks to a Mateo Retegui double and a late goal from Gianluca Mancini, securing at least a World Cup playoff berth amid tension between police and some demonstrators at a pro-Palestinian march.
Retegui put Italy ahead just before the break after he was fouled and converted the resulting penalty. He netted the second in the 74th minute by winning possession on the edge of the area, cutting inside and curling his effort into the top corner.
Defender Mancini scored with a close-range header in second-half stoppage time to wrap up a comfortable win.
Norway lead Group I on 18 points. Italy are second with 15, six clear of Israel, who have only one game left and cannot overtake Gennaro Gattuso's side.
The group winners qualify directly for next year's World Cup, with the runners‑up entering the playoffs. REUTERS
