Italy breaks through Moldova’s wall only in the end

At the Stadionul Zimbru in Chisinau, Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy managed to beat Moldova 2-0 by scoring only in the final in the penultimate match of Group I of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The first chance was for the Azzurri after six minutes: a left-footed shot by Raspadori after a combination with Scamacca, Cojuhar repelled on the dive, who then repeated himself at the deflecting a free-kick by the same Scamacca into a corner.

The Moldavian extreme defender again starred in the 12th minute on Cristante’s heel and then on a shot by Raspadori: practically alone he is fending off Italy’s siege, which faded as the minutes passed.

In the 26th minute Cojuhar instead misses the exit and Mancini from a rather favorable position with an empty goal sends high. In the 33rd minute here are the hosts with Postolachi who with a left-footed volley sends just high. In the 35′ another rebound by Cojuhar on Raspadori who was offside, however. In the 40′ right-footed shot from outside to the side by Cristante.

Resume. In the 52′ Revenco miraculously repulses a left-footed shot by Cambiaso. The Azzurri were increasingly confusing although the entry of Pio Esposito for Raspadori gave some liveliness to the attack, but in the 78th minute the interista flat-footed a shot into the back of the net from a good position.

In the 88th minute, Italy took the lead: Dimarco from the left side put in the middle where Mancini, with a diving header, performed a feat by putting in where Cojuhar could not reach. In 92′ the double: Politano’s free kick from the right puts in the area at the second post where Pio Esposito’s header puts into the back of the net.