Football Italia Live Blog
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Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from Italy’s World Cup qualifier in Moldova, the penultimate match in Group I.
It kicks off at the Stadionul Zimbru in Chisinau at 19.45 GMT.
The Azzurri are already guaranteed a place in the play-offs, but even if they finish joint top of the group with Norway, Erling Haaland’s side have by far the better goal difference.
Italy left it late to secure a 2-0 victory away against Moldova in World Cup qualifying on Thursday evening, but are practically guaranteed to finish the group in second place following Norway’s 4-1 win over Estonia earlier in the night.
Sandro Tonali confessed ‘it would mean a lot’ for Italy to beat Norway on Sunday, even if they can’t secure direct World Cup qualification, and is ‘emotional’ about his AC Milan return.
Francesco Pio Esposito admits ‘it has all happened so quickly’ after scoring his second senior Italy goal in the 2-0 victory over Moldova, and now hopes to score at San Siro.
Gennaro Gattuso defended Italy’s performance in a hard-fought 2-0 win over Moldova and ‘cannot accept’ insulting chants from supporters.
Italy had to wait until the 88th minute to push past Moldova with Gianluca Mancini and Francesco Pio Esposito headers, at least keeping pressure on Norway to the end.
Click here for the full match report.
Dimarco free kick finds the Retegui looping header, but it is cleared with difficulty!
Stefan booked for Moldova.
It’s another header! Free kick finds Politano down the right, whips in a cross to the back post for Francesco Pio Esposito to nod in!
Into 6 minutes of added time.
Nearly 2-0!
Pulled back from the by-line for Frattesi, but he balloons over first time from 12 yards!
After that mad scramble, Dimarco cross from the left and Mancini from just inside the box went for a bit of an unusual diving header, but it paid off, finding the near bottom corner!
Moldova continue to throw themselves in the way of every finish, but also the Italy shots just aren’t powerful enough in promising positions.
Another cross from the right into the box, bit of a mad scramble, but Frattesi can’t get the shot away.
Zaccagni off, Frattesi on for Italy.
Cross from the left for Retegui, but the goalkeeper plucks it out of the air before he can get there.
Another promising opportunity for the young striker!
This time the move was down the left with Zaccagni, pulled back for Esposito, who drilled wide of the near post from the edge of the area with the inside of the right boot!
Pio Esposito slightly scuffed the finish and the goalkeeper was able to save! Politano cross from the right and Esposito with the volley from 10 yards, but straight at the goalkeeper.
Dimarco and Politano on, Orsolini and Cambiaso off for Italy.
Fratea and Bodisteanu on for Moldova, Rata and Nicolaescu off.
Another roll across from the left finds Pio Esposito, charged down from close range!
Mancini has some timid penalty appeals for handball, but that would’ve been very harsh when pushed by Pio Esposito and falling backwards onto the ball. He had no idea where it was.
Tonali snapshot was also beaten away by the goalkeeper, again not what you might call a real chance, but in this second half, it now is.
And another corner, this one is the 13th…
Retegui is at least trying, his header is smothered by the goalkeeper. It’s on target. Yay…
A better cross from Orsolini, but Retegui’s acrobatic attempt is charged down for yet another corner.
Bellanova with some weak crosses easily cleared, Italy had started so strong and just lost intensity.
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