Israel edges Estonia 2-1 to start 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a win
Eli Dasa of Israel in action.
Israel defeated Estonia 2-1 over the weekend to kick off its 2026 World Cup campaign on the right foot.
The blue-and-white conceded an early goal but equalized soon after, with captain Eli Dasa scoring the winner in the 75th minute to secure all three points for Ran Ben Shimon’s squad.
With the home game played at Debrecen’s Nagyerdei Stadion due to the ongoing security situation in Israel, the visitors struck first as Maksim Pakotsi scored off a dead-ball play in the 10th minute to give Estonia a quick 1-0 lead. However, Israel pressed hard for the equalizer and found it less than a quarter-hour later when Dan Biton’s scorching shot from the top of the box hit the post, caromed off Karl Hein, and into the Estonian goal to level the score at 1-1.
Oscar Gloukh...