Italy Leave It Late but Get the Job Done in Moldova
What a night it turned out to be in Chisinau, where Italy’s meeting with Moldova in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers was expected to be routine but ended up feeling like a test of patience, persistence, and nerves. The Azzurri walked onto the pitch knowing that direct qualification was already slipping away thanks to Norway’s perfect run, but the match still mattered — both for pride and for the playoff seedings that could define their World Cup fate.
Right from the start, it was clear Gennaro Gattuso had rolled the dice with an ultra-attacking 4-2-4 setup. It looked bold, maybe even risky, but also refreshing. Vicario was given the gloves, Bellanova positioned at right-back, and the front line was stacked with Raspadori, Orsolini, Zaccagni, and Scamacca. On paper, it promised goals. On the field, it produced frustration… at least for 88 long minutes.
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Italy dominated possession — as in 77% dominated — constantly pushing Moldova back into their own box. Chances kept coming but refused to fall their way. Raspadori forced an early save, Cristante nearly flicked one in with a clever back-heel, and Orsolini repeatedly tried his luck, sometimes a little too eagerly. Even when Moldova wobbled, Italy couldn’t quite land the punch. Moldova had their rare moments too, with Postolachi volleying over from a dangerous position that surely made Italian fans briefly hold their breath.
After the break, the pattern stayed the same. Scamacca’s back-heel nearly set up Cambiaso, Tonali had shots blocked and saved, and the Moldovan defenders were throwing themselves at every half-chance like their World Cup lives depended on it. When substitutes Retegui and young Francesco Pio Esposito came on, Italy’s energy lifted again, yet the ball still refused to go in.
And then — finally — at the 88th minute, the deadlock was broken. Federico Dimarco curled in a perfect cross, and Gianluca Mancini rose for a thundering diving header that smashed into the bottom corner. Relief washed over the team like a wave. The job wasn’t done, though. Deep into stoppage time, a Politano cross found Esposito, who delivered a towering header to seal the 2-0 victory. Even then, Retegui nearly added a third with a looping effort cleared at the last moment.
It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t easy, but it kept Italy alive. With Norway still ahead in the group, the playoffs look like the more realistic path, yet performances like this show that Gattuso’s side refuses to fade quietly. It was a long night in Moldova… but better late than never.
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