Only the result is saved, but that's all that counts. At least for now. Italy beat Israel 1-0 and sealed second place in group G for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Russia. The decisive goal was scored by Immobile, with a winning header in the eighth minute of the second half, from a cross by Candreva. Given the simultaneous 1-1 draw between Albania and Macedonia, the Azzurri will only need to get one point in the last two games to be sure of the playoffs.
As for the game, even against Israel Italy revealed all their current limits, both athletic and tactical and in terms of personality. In the first half, the Azzurri tried to manage the game and push, but achieving little. A couple of dangerous actions by Israel, with as many providential responses by Buffon, and a clear goal chance for the national team at the start of the game with Belotti and at the end of Insigne in the Israeli area. The first 45 minutes ended with boos from the public at the Mapei stadium in Reggio Emilia.
“After Madrid, tonight I'm happy: it was clear that the result counted, but having spent 80 minutes in the opponent's box looking for the game satisfies me – commented the Italy coach, Gian Piero Ventura – The whistles? If you want to be a strong team, you don't have to listen to them. If you lose they boo you, if you win they applaud you. The many criticisms after Spain tell me that this is a place where responsibility is high. But the real surprise would have been if we had gone to Madrid to win and overturn the prediction, not go to the World Cup through the playoffs".
