CHISINAU (MOLDOVA) (ITALPRESS) – Italy advanced to the final, against Moldova The Azzurri won 2-0 thanks to goals from Gianluca Mancini and Pio Esposito. Fifth win in a row for Gennaro Gattuso, but the success of Norway, the next opponent on the final day of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, arithmetically allows the national team to qualify for the playoffs which will take place on 26 (semi-finals) and 31 March (final). The near-certain decision that emerged from the match between Norway and Estonia did not influence the approach, Gattuso’s team immediately stepped on the accelerator: Italy controlled the field by attacking in a 4-2-4, with Raspadori and Scamacca flanked in attack by Orsolini and Zaccagni. In the median Cristante, with the captain’s armband on his arm, and Tonali. In the 6th minute it was Raspadori himself who got the first chance, in the 12th minute Cristante with his heel made Cojuhar worry. The Moldova goalkeeper saved the result on two other occasions, Mancini soon after having the clearest chance of the first half with his shot over the crossbar despite excellent positioning. The hosts took advantage of a counter-attack, on the half hour Postolachi almost took the lead, but his left-footed shot went wide of Vicario’s goal. Again, Cristante, a few minutes before the end of the first half, tried to fire a shot from long distance which only came out a few centimeters. A few minutes later the Roma midfielder was imitated by Orsolini, but the result did not change.
In the second half the same scenario happened again, the first chance came from Cambiaso, but the shot from the Juventus team was blocked by Revenco. Coach Gattuso replaced the two strikers in the 20th minute of the second half, but despite bringing on Retegui and Esposito, Italy had difficulty scoring goals. The Azzurri’s final effort paid off three minutes before the 90th minute: Dimarco’s cross from the left, Mancini’s dive past Cojuhar. Pio Esposito’s goal arrived in stoppage time, again via a header.
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(ITALPRES).
