Sandro Tonali 5-4 match winner in astonishing World Cup group qualifier | OneFootball

What a night for Sandro Tonali and Italy.

A must win World Cup group qualifier and they did it, eventually!

Italy trailing 1-0 and 2-1.

Then led 4-2 when reaching the 87th minute.

Only to then end up 4-4 in the 89th minute.

Then came the moment, Sandro Tonali coming in off the left touchline and his shot from outside the box and across the keeper into the far bottom corner! Astonishing scenes.

A typical midfield powerhouse performance from the Newcastle United midfielder and then the vital last gasp winner!

The only disappointment was that this classic match was played in front of next to no fans, with Israel playing at a neutral venue in Hungary.

Without that Sandro Tonali winner, Italy were surely left with an impossible task to automatically qualify top of the table.

However, with four of eight matches played, Italy now only three points off top and still to play Norway at home.

This is the September 2025 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Thursday 4 September

Slovakia 2 Germany 0

Nick Woltemade making his third appearance for Germany but starved of service. Germany missing many of their best players, especially creatively. Germany deservedly beaten in their opening World Cup group qualifier. Rudiger and Tah especially poor in defence.

Friday 5 September

Brazil 3 Chile 0

Bruno Guimaraes putting in a top class performance in this dominant World Cup group qualifier victory. Topping it off by scoring the third and final goal, Bruno rated man of the match. Joelinton not named in the matchday squad and it appears he has stayed in Newcastle to make sure he comes back from injury against Wolves in eight days time.

Slovenia 2 Sweden 2

Emil Krafth remained on the bench as Sweden drew their first of six World Cup group qualifying matches. Anthony Elanga with a very good performance and scored a top quality goal when running from the halfway line, playing a one-two and applying a class finish, to give Sweden the lead on 18 minutes. Having departed as part of a double substitution on 64 minutes at 1-1, Anthony Elanga watching on from the bench as Sweden once again took the lead, only for heartbreak as a last gasp bit of poor defending allowed Slovenia a 90th minute equaliser.

South Sudan 1 DR Congo 4

Great news for Newcastle United and DR Congo, as Yoane Wissa looking good fitness-wise and in form. An assist and a goal, then subbed when 4-0 up to save him for Tuesday’s massive game against Senegal,, which could well decide which of the two qualifies for the 2026 World Cup finals.

Italy 5 Estonia 0

A typical quality all action display from Sandro Tonali. A match that Italy had to win and which they did very convincingly. The United midfielder one of a number of players rested once the match was won, Tonali subbed off at 3-0 on 76 minutes.

Denmark 0 Scotland 0

A first senior call up for Will Osula but the Newcastle United forward watched from the bench, as Denmark failing to score and disappointed not to win an opening World Cup group qualifying match they could and should have won.

Saturday 6 September

England 2 Andorra 0

The Newcastle United trio did themselves no harm in this tedious victory. Dan Burn probably had more touches than any other player as Andorra camped in their own half, the Newcastle defender never troubled in defence as he played the full game and was a threat at corners a couple of times, though most of the crosses were woeful. A first half own goal and a good second-half Rice header from a James cross, were the goals that earned the win. Gordon and Livramento were given the last 20 minutes and helped inject a little bit more spark and intensity, along with fellow subs Rogers and Gibbs-White.

Sunday 7 September

Germany 3 Northern Ireland 1

A vital win for Germany in this World Cup group qualifier and it took Nick Woltemade just seven minutes to make his mark. The Newcastle United striker playing in Serge Gnabry to give the home side the lead. Only for West Brom’s Isaac Price to grab a 34th minute equaliser for Northern Ireland. Germany’s goalscorer Gnabry and Woltemade who provided the assist, were both subbed off after an hour. Eventually Amiri and Wirtz getting the goals that ensured victory.

Monday 8 September

Israel 4 Italy 5

What a night for Sandro Tonali and Italy.

A must win World Cup group qualifier and they did it, eventually! Italy trailing 1-0 and 2-1, then led 4-2 when reaching the 87th minute, only to then end up 4-4 in the 89th minute.

Then came the moment, Sandro Tonali coming in off the left touchline and his shot from outside the box and across the keeper into the far bottom corner! Astonishing scenes.

Serbia v England (Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento) World Cup group qualifier

Wednesday 10 September