Italy vs Moldova: Spalletti Bows Out with Vital Win as Azzurri Keep World Cup Hopes Alive

Italy secured a much-needed 2-0 victory over Moldova in a tightly contested 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Monday, June 9, at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia. While the result provided a positive send-off for outgoing head coach Luciano Spalletti, the performance left lingering questions about the team's current form and future prospects in the qualification campaign.

Despite the win, Italy’s display was far from convincing. Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso found the net for the Azzurri, but the team struggled to impose themselves on a determined Moldova side. The visitors had the ball in the back of the net early in the first half, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Throughout the game, Moldova created several opportunities, highlighting Italy’s defensive vulnerabilities and lack of attacking cohesion. Player ratings from Football Italia singled out Raspadori as the standout performer, but overall, the team looked disjointed, especially in the early stages of the match.

This victory was especially significant given the backdrop of recent events. Spalletti, who had already announced his departure following Italy’s 3-0 defeat to Norway in the opening qualifier, managed his final match under intense scrutiny. Injuries forced the inclusion of debutant Luca Ranieri and several squad players, further complicating the team’s preparation. The win keeps Italy’s World Cup qualification hopes alive, but the Azzurri remain in a challenging position: Norway currently leads the group, and Italy must now target overtaking them or face a potentially treacherous playoff route.

For Moldova, the defeat marked their second consecutive loss in the qualifiers, following heavy setbacks against Norway and Estonia. Missing key midfielders Vadim Rata and Maxim Cojocaru due to suspension, Moldova proved resilient but ultimately lacked the quality to capitalize on Italy’s defensive lapses.

The result, while positive for Italy, underscores the ongoing issues within the national team setup. With Spalletti’s era now concluded, attention turns to his successor and the rebuilding effort required to restore Italy’s status as a footballing powerhouse.