Sandro Tonali's late strike snatched Italy a thrilling 5-4 victory in their World Cup qualifier against Israel in stoppage time, keeping Gennaro Gattuso's perfect record intact.

Italy made a shaky start to the match and almost found themselves behind four minutes in as Gianluigi Donnarumma awkwardly punched a corner into his own net under pressure, but the goal was disallowed, with Stav Lemkin penalised for infringement.

Their poor start was compounded as Manuel Locatelli slid in and bundled Dan Biton's low cross into Italy's empty net 16 minutes in.

He almost got his redemption shortly after, smashing a stunning volley off the top of the bar, but Moise Kean ensured Italy were on level terms at the break, curling a low finish past Daniel Peretz in the 40th minute.

Against the run of play in the second half, Israel got back in front seven minutes after the restart. Manor Solomon brilliantly shook off three defenders to tee up Dor Peretz, who rifled into the roof of the net, but less than 90 seconds later, Kean equalised, picking out the bottom-left corner from the edge of the box.

Mateo Retegui, who got a hat-trick of assists for Italy, then flicked on a long throw-in to tee up the stretching Matteo Politano 58 minutes in, and his goal flipped the script.

Israel kept pushing, though, as Locatelli denied Tai Baribo on the line before Donnarumma smothered Ron Revivo's follow-up, but Italy found their fourth goal in the 81st minute through Giacomo Raspadori, who poked home after a lovely team move.

However, there were more late twists. Revivo's smashed cross struck the wrong-footed Alessandro Bastoni in the 87th minute, with Dor Peretz heading home a free-kick from close range two minutes later.

But Tonali would have the final say, with his low cross from the left catching out the hosts' backline, and Israel goalkeeper Peretz could not keep it out of the bottom corner in the first minute of stoppage time.

Data Debrief: One for the history books

Gattuso kicked off his Italy reign with a 5-0 win, and this match was much less straightforward, but Italy managed to get over the line.

It was a fine performance in front of goal from both sides, especially when considering the expected goals (xG), with Italy only generating 1.81, compared to Israel's 1.41.

Kean shone up front, and has now scored five goals in three World Cup qualifying appearances. Only Luigi Riva (six) has netted more in his first three such matches for Italy.

Heading into the 90th minute, it looked like Italy had let the three points slip through their grasp, but they turned things around. Indeed, it was the first time they have scored five times in two consecutive matches in their history.