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New Delhi: Italy scrambled to beat 5-4 in a see-saw game to keep their FIFA World Cup qualification hopes alive. They scored two own goals, came from behind twice and won despite conceding a late equaliser to remain in the hunt in Group I.
New manager Gennaro Gattuso began his Italy tenure with a 5-0 home win over Estonia on Friday but produced an error prone performance on neutral ground in Hungary but still somehow managed to claim three points.
"It was a crazy game. The five goals scored should be emphasised, but we also conceded four and so there will be analysis to be done," Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli told Rai TV.
Italy are now second in the group on nine points, just ahead of Israel on goal difference but have a game in hand, but are three behind Norway who have also played four matches.
"Believing until the end is the beauty of football. Tonight we succeeded and we brought home the result," Italy striker Moise Kean, who scored two goals, said.
"We believe in qualification. We're a very good team and we have an excellent coach. We can do a lot."
Sweden slumped to a 2-0 defeat away against Kosovo, who were reduced to 10 men after Lindon Emerllahu was sent off in second-half stoppage time for a second yellow card.
Sweden drew 2-2 away to Slovenia on Friday, and trailed in the 26th minute as Elvis Rexhbecaj's cored with his shin.
Kosove went 2-0 up minuted before half time as then ensured they didn't concede to take home three points and move up to second place in Group B on three points.
They are three points behind Switzerland, who thrashed Slovenia 3-0 for their second successive win. Sweden lie third on one point, only ahead of Slovenia on goal difference.
Denmark's Mikkel Damsgaard caught the attention for his dribbling tricks as his side brushed aside Greece 3-0 away on Monday, as the Danes rose to the top spot in Group C ahead of Scotland on goal difference.
The top teams from each group qualify directly for the tournament next year while the runners-up appear in play-offs.
