Israel’s playoff dreams are officially over. Willibald Ruttensteiner’s side beat Moldova 2-1, but it wasn’t enough to keep their hopes of a trip to the World Cup finals alive.
Whilst Israel could technically still qualify for next year's final in Qatar, they’re four points behind second place Scotland with two games to go, and Scotland still need to play rock bottom Moldova, who’ve only picked up one point so far this campaign.
Photo: Israel Football Association
A month ago, when Israel thrashed Austria 5-2, the FA were in an optimistic mood. So much so, they began urgently discussing moving their home match against Moldova from Turner Stadium in Be'er Sheva to Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv. They thought the 16,000 seats in Be’er Sheva were not enough for such a big game, and the increasing interest could allow up to 30,000 fans into the bigger stadium.
One thing that wasn't planned for though, was Israel losing to Scotland, a result that would make their game against Moldova almost meaningless. They lost that match in Glasgow 3-2.
The defeat against Scotland was another disappointing chapter in Israeli football's history, but the first half went better than any fan could have believed. An early lead from a 5th minute Eran Zahavi free kick, and a quick recovery after a Scotland equaliser saw the visitors take a 2-1 lead into the second half.
But things changed at half time. It was a half filled with the same old mistakes that fans have become so used to.
A defensive collapse in the 55th minute led to a Lyndon Dykes equaliser and, in the 94th minute, things got worse. Set pieces have always been a nightmare for the Israeli national team, and a corner kick from the right-hand side saw Scott McTominay score the late winner.
Reaching the playoffs now seemed almost impossible, but there was still some faint optimism that, should they get an easy win against last place Moldova, they might still have a chance to qualify.
Bibars Natcho, Israel national team captain. Photo: Israel Football Association
The Biggest Moment
It seems that Israel couldn’t get over their shock from Saturday. They barely challenged the Moldovan keeper in the first 25 minutes and, as usual, Israel relied on having one shot taken by the right person. As you would expect, that person was Eran Zahavi. It was his 33rd goal for the national team, making him their official all-time leading goalscorer, ahead of Mordechai Spiegler.
Four minutes after the interval, Manor Solomon and Eran Zahavi passed the ball back and forth, all the way to the penalty area. Zahavi left the keeper behind, passing across to Munas Dubbar for Israel’s second. Like we saw in Haifa, Dabbur’s goal drew a mixed reaction from fans - some still criticise him for his Instagram post, after the clashes on Temple Mount in May.
Israel took the advantage and controlled the field and, after Oleg Reabciuk was sent off with five minutes to go, looked even better. There was still hope that results elsewhere would play into their hands.
Israel’s top scorer. Zahavi with a tribute to Mordechai Spiegler after his goal. Phot: Israel Football Association
Old Memories
The reports from Torshavn had reached the stadium in Be’er Sheva. The match between the Faroe Islands and Scotland was still goalless, and the chance to close the gap to second place was once again becoming real. But in the 87th minute, Lyndon Dykes popped up with the winner. A long VAR review didn’t change the decision, and Scotland took home the three points. That was the end of Israel’s dreams.
Once again, Israel conceded a late goal. Another defensive mistake in the box, and Ion Nicolaescu was in the right place to score. Yet again, Israel failed to keep a clean sheet, something they have only done in one of their eight World Cup qualifiers to date.
A campaign that began badly in March, improved with the sensational win against Austria in September, and concluded with them missing out on the opportunity to finish in the top two places in their group.
Mordechai Spiegler, the former national team top scorer, is the only Israeli to score in the World Cup, back in 1970. Eran Zahavi, the team’s new talisman, has missed another chance to become the second.
With or without Zahavi, Israel will try to make it again in four years time. More than 50 years of failure won’t stop the Israeli fans from believing, at least until the next predictably underwhelming campaign that is.
Eran Zahavi scored his 33rd int'l goal for Israel 🇮🇱 last night, surpassing Mordechai Spiegler. Zahavi celebrated with Spiegler’s iconic celebration from World Cup 1970, when the latter scored Israel’s only goal in the World Cup. Spiegler was in the stadium yesterday. Legends. pic.twitter.com/twA4EMGENz
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) October 13, 2021
Israel coach Ran Ben Shimon dons a kippa and prays for hostages in an emotional Oslo press conference before facing Norway.
Ahead of Norway–Israel, FA president Lise Klaveness urges respect, transparency, and dialogue, discussing her efforts in bringing change that will see Israel banned from international football.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.
Thousands of Argentina fans transformed Times Square before the 2026 World Cup final, all united to thank Lionel Messi.
Spain were ruthless in Dallas as Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo starred, leaving France's Bastille Day to end in deep disappointment for Deschamps.
Norway outplayed England for most of a sweltering Miami classic, but two Bellingham strikes in extra time sent the Three Lions to the semis.
Merino's late goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal as Ronaldo left the World Cup stage in tears in what many believe was his final match.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Senegal relived their legendary 2002 magic for an hour, but Kylian Mbappe struck twice to sink them and seal France's 3-1 win in New Jersey.
Azteca stadium hosts its third World Cup as Mexico City buzzes with pride, protest, and the deep belief that football has always lived here.
With tensions easing, Iran’s 2026 World Cup participation remains uncertain, as FIFA, politics, and regional dynamics collide.
From geopolitics to spectacle, Trump looms over World Cup 2026—reshaping football, power, and culture in the biggest tournament ever.
Nigeria fell to DR Congo on penalties and missed another World Cup, exposing deep structural issues holding back the once-mighty Super Eagles.
Erling Haaland’s hat-trick powered Norway past Israel 5–0, as protests and tension surrounded the World Cup qualifier in Oslo.
Ahead of Norway–Israel, FA president Lise Klaveness urges respect, transparency, and dialogue, discussing her efforts in bringing change that will see Israel banned from international football.
Tense atmosphere in Oslo ahead of Norway vs. Israel, with protests, politics, and a World Cup dream on the line.
As Israel visits Oslo for a key World Cup qualifier, Norway braces for protests, politics, and a tense weekend on and off the pitch. Uri Levy reports from Oslo.
FIFA names eight Brazilian cities as hosts for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, marking the tournament's first edition in South America.
Japan qualify as Asia's World Cup race heats up—big wins, surprise draws, and crucial clashes ahead on Matchday 8.
CAF World Cup qualifiers heat up as Egypt, Sudan, and Morocco lead, while Nigeria and Ghana fight to stay in contention.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was an event that made changes within Qatar and the Middle East. Uri Levy explores what happened in the region a year later.
From Lionel Messi winning the World Cup to Cristiano Ronaldo signs in Saudi Arabia. 2022 was a year full of football action, and the BabaGol team selected the best moments to take.
Morocco made a tremendous journey in the 2022 World Cup, all the way to the semi-finals. Uri Levy picked the heroes of The Atlas Lions.
Gerardo Martino, Mexico's national team manager, is getting ready for the World Cup. Meir Lozowick discovered the preparations before Tata’s last tournament.
The World Cup qualifiers ended with a bang last week. A view of every continent and a summary of its qualifying campaign.
The Middle East and North Africa are ready to send a record number of teams to the World Cup in Qatar.
The international break is here, and the 2022 World Cup qualifiers reach their decisive moments. All action from all confederations and continents is here.
Colombia is fighting for a World Cup spot. It’s not easy, but there is a way. Idan Segev analyses.
The World Cup qualifiers continue with Asia, South America and North, Central America & the Caribbean are ready for a crucial international break on the road to Qatar.
Erling Haaland’s hat-trick powered Norway past Israel 5–0, as protests and tension surrounded the World Cup qualifier in Oslo.