Italy edge past Moldova, but will likely face play-offs for World Cup spot | OneFootball

Italy beat Moldova by sheer determination this Thursday, winning 2-0 at the Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau, Moldova, in the penultimate round of the group stage of the European Qualifiers for the World Cup. Mancini and Esposito found the net for the Azzurra.

With this result, the Italian national team reached 18 points but remains in second place in Group I, which is led by Norway, who have practically secured direct qualification for the World Cup.

Italy still has a mathematical chance of qualifying directly for the World Cup, but for that to happen, they would need a true miracle: to beat Norway in the final round while overturning a 17-goal deficit in goal difference. In other words, it’s fair to say the Norwegians are already guaranteed a spot in the World Cup.

Italy has not qualified for a World Cup since 2014. In the last two editions, in Russia and Qatar, the Azzurra had to watch the tournament from the couch, and as a result, the pressure is enormous this time to secure qualification for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

The Italian national team will be back on the field next Sunday, when they face Norway at San Siro in Milan at 4:45 p.m. (Brasília time), for the final round of Group I of the European Qualifiers for the World Cup.

How does the playoffs work?

The 12 runners-up from the European Qualifiers groups join the four group winners with the most points from the Nations League who did not finish first or second in their respective Qualifiers groups, making a total of 16 teams.

These 16 teams will be divided into four groups. The four teams in each group will face off in single-leg semifinals and finals during the March FIFA window. The “champion” of each group secures a spot in the next World Cup.

The goals

In a game lacking creativity, the Italian national team struggled to create good chances but managed to secure the win through sheer determination in the final minutes. In the 88th minute, Dimarco crossed into the box, and Mancini headed it into the corner, leaving no chance for the goalkeeper and securing an important victory for the Azzurra.

Shortly after, in stoppage time, Italy extended their lead again through an aerial ball. Politano crossed, and Esposito rose higher than the opposing defense to head the ball to the far post, sealing the final score in Moldova.

Match summary

🔵🟡🔴 MOLDOVA 0 X 2 ITALY 🔴⚪🟢  Competition: European Qualifiers for the World Cup  Venue: Zimbru Stadium, Chisinau (Moldova)  Date: November 13, 2025 (Thursday)  Time: 4:45 p.m. (Brasília time)  Yellow cards: Dumbravanu, Revenco, Stefan (Moldova)  Red cards: None

Refereeing

Goals

Italy

⚽ Mancini, 88’ (2nd half) ⚽ Esposito, 90+2’ (2nd half)

🔵🟡🔴MOLDOVA Cojuhar; Stefan, Craciun and Dumbravanu; Revenco, Rata (Bodisteanu), Perciun (Bogaciuc), Ionita and Reabcluk (Bitka); Nicolaescu (Fratea) and Postolachi (Damascan). Coach: Lilian Popescu.

🔴⚪🟢ITALY Vicarlo; Bellanova, Mancini, Buongiorno and Cambiaso (Dimarco); Cristante, Tonali and Raspadori (Esposito); Orsolini (Politano), Zaccagni (Frattesi) and Scamacca (Retegui). Coach: Gennaro Gattuso.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.