Spalletti marks final game in charge of Italy with routine win over Moldova

Luciano Spalletti concluded his tenure as Italy manager with a 2-0 victory over Moldova, ending a run of four games without a win (D1, L3) as the Azzurri bid to qualify for their first FIFA World Cup (WC) since 2014.

Under pressure following a bruising 3-0 defeat to Norway in their opening WC qualifier, Italy couldn’t afford any surprises against Moldova.

Fortunately for the home support, an early shock proved to be momentary as Ion Nicolaescu’s header was disallowed for offside, sparing the Azzurri’s blushes.

Relentless Italian pressure soon followed, with debutant Luca Ranieri heading Giacomo Raspadori’s whipped free-kick delivery onto the crossbar, yet goalkeeper Cristian Avram was rarely troubled, making just one relatively simple stop to keep out a Mateo Retegui snapshot.

That was until the 40th minute, when Avram could do nothing to deny Raspadori, who displayed brilliant technique as he guided a half-cleared bouncing ball into the bottom corner.

Raspadori celebrates his openerZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA / The Mega Agency / Profimedia

Having failed to win any of their previous 22 WCQs dating back to October 2013 (D3, L19), many might have expected Moldova to capitulate against the four-time world champions, yet Tricolorii responded positively ahead of the half-time whistle. 

Gianluigi Donnarumma had to be alert to keep out Oleg Reabciuk’s rifled effort, which led to a nervy moment as Artur Ioniță flashed the follow-up across goal, shortly before a goalline block from Federico Dimarco denied Daniel Dumbrăvanu’s header.

However, after making a bright start to the second half, the visitors’ mood was swiftly dampened as Andrea Cambiaso swept home a loose ball in the box to double Italy’s advantage.

Eight of the Azzurri’s last nine encounters had produced at least three goals, but a quiet period in front of goal followed, with Davide Frattesi twice sending tame shots at Avram.

Ultimately, the two-goal buffer proved to be enough to ease Italy over the line on a night that delivered three vital points but not much else.

Match statsFlashscore

Defeats in all three qualifiers so far leaves Moldova bottom of Group I, with hopes of a first-ever appearance in a major tournament as an independent nation already looking bleak for the group’s underdogs.

Rumoured to be taking charge of the Italians, Claudio Ranieri will need group leaders Norway to slip up in their remaining matches if his nation is to guarantee qualification, currently trailing Løvene by nine points with two games in hand.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Giacomo Raspadori (Italy)