Mordechai Spiegler, Yossi Benayoun, and Dudu Aouate stand out for different reasons: Spiegler for Israel’s 1970 World Cup goal, Benayoun for his national-team record and English club career, and Aouate for his long international service and Spanish league career.
Spiegler and the 1970 World Cup
Forward Mordechai Spiegler scored Israel’s goal in its 1–1 draw with Sweden in Mexico 1970. He was the first Israeli player to score at a World Cup and remains closely associated with the team’s only appearance at the finals. UEFA selected him as Israel’s Golden Player for its 2004 anniversary. UEFA’s profile of Israeli football identifies him as the standout of that team.
Benayoun and Aouate
Yossi Benayoun played for Liverpool from 2007 to 2010, as well as Chelsea, Arsenal, and West Ham United. He did not win Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League title: he joined the club two years later. UEFA’s historical player material listed him as Israel’s appearance record-holder at the time of publication. His international career and major English club spells made him one of Israel’s most recognizable modern players.
Goalkeeper Dudu Aouate earned 78 caps for Israel. After playing for Hapoel Haifa and Maccabi Haifa, he moved to Spain, where he appeared for Racing Santander, Deportivo La Coruña, and Mallorca. UEFA reported that he made more than 300 Spanish league appearances before retiring in 2014. UEFA’s retirement report gives his cap total and club chronology.
These careers show the range of Israel’s international record: a World Cup landmark, a leading outfield player in major English sides, and a national goalkeeper established in Spain. For the tournament that links them, read Israel’s World Cup story.