BUDAPEST: History tends to repeat itself.
When it comes to national teams, the past forms your identity - like Brazil, known for its Jogo Bonito, or Germany, who play for 90 minutes and win.
On Thursday night, Israel and Iceland tried to change that.
🗣️ “Around 1,500 fans!” @yossport1 from #Budapest ahead of #Israel 🇮🇱 vs #Iceland 🇮🇸 in the #Euro2024 playoff clash. pic.twitter.com/RzOH3i6bp3
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) March 21, 2024
Both teams have played twice in play-off matches in the past:
Israel lost to Denmark to miss out on a spot at Euro 2000, and against Scotland for Euro 2020.
Iceland was knocked out by Croatia in the 2014 World Cup play-offs, and in the play-offs for Euro 2020, they defeated Romania in the semi-finals only to lose to Hungary in Budapest in the final.
Iceland are back in Budapest again, as Israel can’t host this game at home due to the war.
Israel has experienced this situation before, having hosted the entire Euro 2004 qualifying campaign away from home.
At the start, things looked bright for Israel, and they took the lead with a penalty from prolific scorer Eran Zahavi.
When Zahavi took the shot, some Israelis recalled his penalty during their previous play-off appearance - he was the only player to miss in the shoot-out against Scotland.
Perhaps, this time, a change was on the cards.
By the end of the first half, Iceland had taken back the lead, as Albert Gudmundsson and Arnór Traustason gave their team hope for the second half.
Despite taking the lead first, Israel managed to lose a rare chance to kill the Euro 2024 playoff semifinal against Iceland. Roy Revivo and Arnor Sigurdsson in an aerial duo. (Photo courtesy: Israel Football Association)
In each of Israel’s previous play-off appearances, there has been a moment - involving one of the country’s superstars - that has changed the game.
In 2000 it was Haim Revivo - a member of a legendary Celta Vigo squad - who was sent off as Israel lost 5-0.
On Thursday night, half way through the second half, Roy Revivo, Haim’s son, was sent off
History was repeating itself.
If Israel wanted to change its destiny, it was going to happen with just 10 minutes to go.
Israel had won its second penalty. This time, Zahavi kicked the ball wide. Once again, he will be remembered for a missed penalty.
From here on out it became clear which team would rewrite their history.
Gudmundsson scored twice more, as Iceland thrashed Israel 4-1, and qualified for a play-offs final against Ukraine.
Despite that, Israel have some good reasons to be positive about their new era.
The recent success of their youth teams, and the growth in players playing abroad, may give them an opportunity to reach a major tournament in the future.
Photo courtesy: Israeli Football Association
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