Italy prevailed in a whirlwind game to beat Israel 5-4 in their World Cup qualifier in Hungary on Monday after the Italians scored two own goals, twice came from behind and conceded a late equalizer but scrambled a win to stay in the hunt in Group I.

Italy had won its first game under new manager Gennaro Gattuso in a 5-0 home win over Estonia on Friday and, while it was far from a five-star performance on neutral ground away to Israel, the team somehow came away with the three points.

"It was a crazy game," Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli told Rai. "The five goals scored should be emphasized, but we also conceded four and so there will be analysis to be done."