Italy Snatches a Narrow Win Over Moldova in a World Cup Qualifier Thriller

Match Recap

Italy's national team pulled off a hard-fought, exciting win against Moldova, 2-0, in a late-European qualifier clash on Thursday evening that keeps the dream of World Cup 2026 alive, albeit narrowly for now.

The Azzurri struck both goals through Gianluca Mancini in the 88th minute, and Francesco Esposito added a late second, sealing a hard-earned win for the fans.

With the result, Italy rose to 18 points and second place in the group, while Moldova lingered on a single point at the bottom.

Italy now faces a near-impossible route to direct qualification, as they must beat Norway in the final round, with the Nordic leaders on 21 points, three ahead of Italy and carrying a goal difference that stretches well beyond reach this season.

Moldova pressed early, but Italy replied with a chance in the sixth minute when Giacomo Raspadori's shot was saved by the keeper.

Moments later, Scamacca threatened from outside the area, but the ball grazed the defense and glanced past the post, leaving the Moldovan goalkeeper untroubled tonight.

From an 11th-minute corner, Orsolini delivered to the near post where captain Cristante followed, but the ball narrowly evaded his head and stayed out for a restart for next attack.

Moments later, Cambiasso's half-chance from close range curled over the bar, capping a string of near-misses that kept Moldova in the game tonight.

At the 40th minute, Roma midfielder Cristante fired another long-range effort just over Moldova's goalkeeper, signaling Italy's increasing pressure as the crowd urged for a breakthrough.

A few minutes later, Orsolini again cut inside from the right, forcing another attempt against the near post as Moldova scrambled to defend their line, while the visitors grew increasingly tense and Italy looked likely to break through soon before halftime, fans relieved by the prospect of a goal.

In the 65th minute, the coach sent in two straight-ahead forwards, replacing Scamacca and Raspadori. Fans welcomed the changes with hopeful smiles from nearby.

From the 71st-minute corner, Reitigi rose to meet the cross and headed it straight into the Moldova keeper's hands, as Italy's defense held firm and pinched a few more saves.

Esposito had a chance in the 77th minute when a cross from the right reached the Inter forward at about ten yards, but his shot was saved by Moldova's goalkeeper, and he returned a minute later with another near-miss there.

In the 88th minute, Gianluca Mancini finally broke the deadlock, meeting a cross with a precise header that found the net and quieted the Moldovan supporters within the tiny stadium.

Esposito then doubled the advantage in stoppage time—90+2—by heading home a Politano cross, sealing the hard-earned win for Italy and leaving Moldova with little more than a glimmer of late hope. The win steadied nerves, and Italy's ambition still hummed as the clock ticked toward the final whistle tonight too.

Outlook

The victory steadied nerves, and Italy's chances remain delicate, but the win preserves momentum as they chase a direct berth in the final rounds against strong opponents.

Norway loom large, but tonight's resilience gives fans a reason to smile again tonight.

Punchline 1: If time were a striker, tonight Italy would be the boss—always late, but somehow scoring at the buzzer.

Punchline 2: This group could teach suspense to a slug—tightly wound, incredibly loud, and somehow still not settled by the final whistle.