Islamabad, June 10, 2025: As a final parting gift for Luciano Spalletti, Italy secured a 2-0 win in Italy vs Moldova on Monday, earning their first points in what has been a troubled start to their World Cup qualification journey, the first since they last appeared in 2014.
Prior to kick off in Reggio Emilia, Spalletti was told he would be relieved of his duties as Italy’s head coach, following the team’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Norway the previous week, a harsh blow at the beginning of their 2026 World Cup campaign.
Strikes from Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso ensured that Spalletti went back on a positive note. Still, Italy’s standing in Group I remains shaky, especially with Norway continuing their perfect run by edging Estonia 1-0, courtesy of Erling Haaland’s 62nd-minute finish.
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The Azzurri are currently trailing Norway by nine points, although they do have two games in hand. However, they may regret not taking the opportunity to improve their goal tally in Italy vs Moldova, a weaker side.
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Only the group leaders among the twelve qualifying groups will secure a direct place at the expanded 48-team World Cup in North America next year. Second-place finishers will enter the playoff round, a stage where Italy suffered painful eliminations in both 2018 and 2022, falling to Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively.
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