Luciano Spalletti’s last sport in control of Italy ended on a excessive as he oversaw a snug 2-0 victory over Moldova in a World Cup qualifier on Monday.
Forward of kick-off on the MAPEI Stadium, Spalletti introduced he had been relieved of his duties following a 3-0 defeat to Norway within the first sport of their qualifying marketing campaign.
However he was capable of carry up his twelfth win in his twenty fourth and final sport on the helm towards the facet ranked 154th on this planet, who gave Italy an early scare within the contest.
Ion Nicolaescu believed he had headed Moldova in entrance within the ninth minute, however following a VAR evaluate, the objective was chalked off after the striker was in an offside place.
That second woke Italy up, and so they started to dominate, with Luca Ranieri putting the crossbar with a header earlier than Federico Dimarco fired narrowly broad of the mark.
Giacomo Raspadori then rifled Italy right into a Fortieth-minute lead when a headed clearance fell kindly to the Napoli striker, who despatched a fierce volley into the bottom-left nook.
9 – Since his debut with Italy (4th June 2021), Giacomo #Raspadori has scored probably the most objectives for the Azzurri: 9. Jack.#ItaliaMoldova pic.twitter.com/mFVuqH4fYE
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) June 9, 2025
However the Italians had Dimarco to thank to make sure they preserved their lead heading into the break with a clearance off the road from Daniel Dumbravanu’s header.
Andrea Cambiaso gave Italy respiratory house 5 minutes into the second half, tucking the ball previous Cristian Avram following good work from substitute Riccardo Orsolini.
Italy missed a wonderful likelihood to wrap the sport up late on, however Davide Frattesi was unable to offer the crowning glory with solely Moldova goalkeeper Avram to beat.
However Spalletti’s staff have been capable of maintain on as they picked up their first win in Group I, however at the moment are 9 factors behind leaders Norway after their 1-0 victory over Estonia.
Knowledge Debrief: Raspadori provides sacked Spalletti successful send-off
The information of Spalletti’s shock departure from the Italian nationwide staff threatened to additional derail the Azzurri’s probabilities of World Cup qualification, however they have been capable of get the job finished on a nervy evening towards Moldova.
Italy ended the competition with an anticipated objectives (xG) complete of two.63 from their 28 photographs, although solely seven of which have been heading in the right direction, to Moldova’s 1.33 from their 18 makes an attempt.
However the distinction proved to be the standard on the prime finish of the pitch, with Raspadori making a telling contribution for Italy as soon as extra. Certainly, since his debut for his nation in June 2021, no participant has scored extra occasions for the Azzurri than the Napoli ahead (9).