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2026 World Cup qualifiers
UEFA - Matchday 9
Moldova v Italy
Zimbru Stadium
Chisinau, Moldova
Thursday, 13 November 2025
Kick-off is at 21h45
Italy will be aiming to keep the pressure on the Group I leaders when they take on Moldova in a
2026 World Cup qualifier at the Zimbru Stadium on Thursday, November 13.
The Azzurri may be forced to navigate the playoffs to book their ticket to the global showpiece as they trail Norway by three points in second place with two matches left to play.
Qualification could well come down to their deciding clash against the Scandinavians on November 16. with Gennaro Gattuso's side having lost 3-0 in the reverse fixture in Oslo.
Italy won their subsequent five group games to stay within touching distance of Norway, who have a perfect record in qualifying to date and a vastly superior goal difference.
The four-time World Cup winners cannot afford to concede any more goals, having already shipped eight in their six matches and kept only their third clean sheet with a 3-0 victory over Israel on October 14.
The Tricolours are still seeking their first win in qualifying, although they finally picked up their solitary point in a 1-1 draw with Estonia on October 14.
Lilian Popescu's side had lost their opening five games and they were hammered 11-1 by Norway on September 11 which did little for their morale.
Goals in each half from Giacomo Raspadori (40') and Andrea Cambiaso (50') saw the Azzurri run out 2-0 victors in the first meeting between the two teams in Bergamo on September 5.
With the playoffs looking distinctly likely for Italy, Gattuso insists they cannot afford to underestimate any potential opponents, given their recent track record after failing to qualify for the last two World Cups.
"Football has changed, these days you can lose to anyone, you understand that we can't afford to underestimate anyone... especially after what we've been through," the Italian said.
"We're coming from years of not being able to underestimate anyone, we have a lot of respect for everyone and we're that team that has to do things as they're supposed to be done."
Head-to-Head: (Last Five Matches)
Matches - 5
Moldova wins - 0
Italy wins - 5
Draws - 0
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