Result Moldova 0 – 2 Italy, Thursday, 13 November 2025, World Cup Qualifiers

2026 FIFA World Cup, Italian National Team

Result Moldova – Italy, Thursday, 13 November 2025, World Cup Qualifiers

   Moldova 0 – 2 Italy 

.                                                         88′ Gianluca Mancini
.                                                         92′ Francesco Pio Esposito

Italy faces challenges in securing an away victory against Moldova during the second-to-last matchday of the qualifying group. The match on Thursday, 13 November 2025, at the Stadionul Zimbru in Chișinău, positions Italy on the path to the playoffs. In Group I, Norway, with 21 points, is nearly assured a spot in the World Cup following its victory over Estonia.

The Italian national team retains possession but struggles to penetrate a highly organized and compact defense. The match lacks excitement until the 88th minute, and just as it appears to be heading towards a 0-0 stalemate, BOOM! Gianluca Mancini scores the first goal with a twisting header from a cross delivered by Federico Dimarco. The Azzurri finally find their rhythm, and in stoppage time, specifically in the 92nd minute, Francesco Pio Esposito heads in a splendid cross from Politano, bringing the score to 2-0.

Gennaro Gattuso became the third coach in Italy’s history to win his first five matches in charge of the Azzurri, following in the footsteps of Edmondo Fabbri from 1962 to 1963 and Azeglio Vicini from 1986 to 1987.

How are things working out for the Italian team?

Italy has recorded six consecutive wins, securing a play-off spot with one game to spare.

Group I Standings: Norway, 21 points (seven games played), ITALY, 18 points (seven), Israel, nine points (seven), Estonia, four points (eight), Moldova, one point (seven).

✅   STATS WITH MOLDOVA.

Statistics reveal that Italy has achieved six victories in six matches against Moldova. The last encounter on June 9 in Reggio Emilia ended with a 2-0 win, courtesy of goals from Cambiaso and Raspadori. Italy has faced Norway 18 times, securing ten wins, four draws, and four losses, which includes a 3-0 loss on June 6 in Oslo during the Azzurri’s first match of the qualifying group.

At last! Italy secured the victory in the 88th minute. Fans promptly celebrated the goal scored by Gianluca Mancini, who directed a header into the net from an impeccable assist by Federico Dimarco. Mancini outmaneuvered Moldova’s goalkeeper Andrii Kozhukhar, placing the ball into the bottom left corner.

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We are in high spirits. Italy awoke just in the final moments of the match. In the 92nd second, a remarkable play by Matteo Politano occurred, as he maneuvered onto his left foot and delivered a cross for Francesco Pio Esposito, who headed the ball into the top left corner, surpassing goalkeeper Kozhukhar. This was an outstanding goal, with Esposito bringing joy to the fans by securing the victory with this late goal, resulting in a score of 0-2.

That is it! Francesco Pio Esposito leaps high enough to execute the headed shot that secures the victory!

Italian soccer player in blue jersey number 18 jumps high with arms extended to head a white soccer ball mid-air during a match while a defender in red jersey number 24 grabs his arm attempting a tackle nearby players in similar uniforms crowd blurred in stadium stands yellow-lit field advertising boards visible at bottom.

 

Italy Captain Bryan Cristante

Bryan Cristante stands on a green soccer field in a blue Italy national team jersey with number 16 and green armband, white shorts featuring Italian flag patch, blue socks, and orange cleats. He positions to kick a colorful soccer ball nearby. Stadium seating with blurred crowd in green and blue attire fills the background. Atos sponsor board appears behind him.

 

Team celebration!  Italian players understand the significance of this triumph. A collective endeavor to aspire for qualification in the 2026 FIFA World Cup!

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The Stadionul Zimbru is set for Moldova vs Italy

Nighttime view through football goalposts framing a green field and empty stadium stands with green seats. Large colorful mural on adjacent building depicts abstract figures in vibrant patterns. UEFA EURO 2024 logos on perimeter ads and banners around the pitch.

Photo via x.com/Azzurri_En

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Italy official starting lineup against Moldova

Graphic displays Moldova versus Italy match with Italian flag and blue background Vicario listed as goalkeeper followed by defenders Bellanova Mancini Buongiorno Cambiaso midfielders Tonali Cristante marked as captain Raspadori Zaccagni and forward Scamacca all labeled as starting XI sponsor logos including Adidas Eni Poste Italiane TIM at bottom

Graphic with blue background showing Moldova vs Italy match title in white text on left side and Italian flag with four stars on right. Below title three Italian players in blue Azzurri jerseys with leaf patterns and Italy logos stand posed: bald player with beard on left, central player with mustache, right player smiling. Bottom text reads 13 November 20:45 CET Chisinau Stadium WC Qualifier in gold.

 

Graphic displays full time score Moldova 0 vs Italy 2 with Italian flag emblem and sponsor logos at bottom including Adidas Joma Eni Poste Italiane TIM. Two Italian players in blue jerseys number 18 and 23 celebrate by embracing arms around shoulders on field one with dark hair and beard other with tattoos on arm wearing white shorts and red boots stadium background blurred.

 

Football Tickets

Group I
MOLDOVA 0 – 2 ITALY  🇮🇹
Thursday 13 November 2025
Stadionul Zimbru
Chișinău, Moldova
20:45

Referee: Mykola Balakin UKR.
Assistant Referee 1: Oleksandr Berkut UKR.
Assistant Referee 2: Volodymyr Vysotsʹkyy UKR.
Fourth Official: Klym Zabroda UKR.
Video Assistant Referee: Denys Shurman UKR.
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dmytro Panchyshyn UKR.
UEFA Referee Observer: Pavel Salii KAZ.
UEFA Delegate: Styrbjörn Oskarsson FIN.

⚽️  Goals: 88′ Gianluca Mancini, 92′ Francesco Pio Esposito.

🟨  Yellow Cards: 2′ Daniel Dumbravanu (M), 28′ Ioan-Calin Revenco (M), 95′ Mihail Stefan (M)

✅  Official Lineups – Formations – Tabellino:

🇲🇩   Lineup MOLDOVA (3-5-2): Cojuhar; Ștefan, Craciun, Dumbrăvanu; Revenco, Perciun, Rață, Ioniță, Reabciuk; Nicolaescu, Postolachi.

Subs: Tîmbur, Avram, Cucos, Bitca, Bodișteanu, Damașcan, Caimacov, Fratea, Borș, Forov, Bogaciuc, Plătică.

Head Coach: Lilian Popescu.

🇮🇹   Lineup ITALIA (4-4-2): Vicario; Bellanova, Mancini, Buongiorno, Cambiaso; Orsolini, Tonali, Cristante, Zaccagni; Raspadori, Scamacca.

Subs: Donnarumma, Carnesecchi, Dimarco, Locatelli, Ricci, Politano, Retegui, Gabbia, Frattesi, Pio Esposito, Bastoni, Di Lorenzo.

Head Coach:  Gennaro Gattuso

✅ Click the video to watch Moldova – Italy highlights on Thursday 13, November 2025

In Spanish

 

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