Retegui: ‘Italy proved we’re still standing’ after 5-0 triumph | OneFootball

Mateo Retegui said Italy ‘proved we’re still standing’ in the race for the 2026 World Cup with a 5-0 victory over Estonia on his return to ‘home’ Bergamo.

The Azzurri were in dire need of a boost after starting their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Norway, then beating Moldova 2-0 with Luciano Spalletti already sacked.

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BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Mateo Retegui of Italy scores his team’s a second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

Gennaro Gattuso took over in June and got his debut this evening, which took a while to get going, until thrashing Estonia 5-0.

Retegui was the star of the show on his return to Bergamo, having left Atalanta for Al-Qadsiyah in the summer, bagging a brace with Moise Kean, Giacomo Raspadori and Alessandro Bastoni also on target.

Emotional Retegui return to Bergamo

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Mateo Retegui of Italy celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

“I have many memories and emotions being back home here. We showed great hunger, hard work and humility all week. We proved we’re still standing and want to fight for qualification,” Retegui told RAI Sport.

“It’s always wonderful to be back home. We had a great season with Atalanta, I love the fans, but this felt a bit different. We played some great football and must continue like this in the next match.”

Gattuso ran a risk with the 4-2-3-1 formation, allowing him to use Kean, Retegui, Mattia Zaccagni and Matteo Politano together.

“It was our first time together from the start, but we get along really well and I can play with all the strikers, Pio, Scamacca, Lucca. We’ve just got to keep fighting and keep humble,” concluded Retegui.

Italy’s next test is against Israel on Monday evening, which will be played on neutral turf in Debrecen, Hungary.