UEFA Qualifiers: Italy Breathed New Life Against Moldova After Coach Spalletti’s Dismissal

In Luciano Spalletti’s last match as coach, Italy managed to beat the weak Moldova 2-0 on Monday in the Group I of the UEFA Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

After the upheaval caused by Spalletti’s dismissal last Sunday by the Italian Football Federation, just two days after a harsh 3-0 defeat to Norway complicating qualification for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, the Azzurra – with Mateo Retegui as a starter – recovered at the Mapei Stadium Città del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia, defeating the Moldovans with goals from Giacomo Raspadori in the first half and Andrea Cambiaso in the second half.

However, Italy – with 3 points and two matches played – remains three points behind Israel, currently in the playoff zone in a group comfortably led by Norway with a perfect score after defeating Estonia 1-0 at Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, thanks to a goal from Erling Haaland.

In a real thriller, Belgium defeated Wales 4-3 at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. The Belgians took the lead with Romelu Lukaku (penalty), Youri Tielemans, and Jérémy Doku, but the Welsh responded with Harry Wilson (penalty), Sorba Thomas, and Brennan Johnson.

With fifteen minutes left, Nicolas Raskin saved the day and gave Belgium the victory, accumulating 4 points from two matches and currently in third place in Group J led by the surprising North Macedonia, which won 1-0 away at Astana Arena against Kazakhstan with a goal from Aleksandar Trajkovski.

Meanwhile, in another notable match from Group L, Croatia thrashed the Czech Republic 5-1 at Opus Arena Osijek. The locals scored through Andrej Kramaric (2), Luka Modric (penalty), Ivan Perisic, and Ante Budimir (penalty). Tomas Soucek temporarily equalized for the Czechs. In the same group, the Faroe Islands defeated Gibraltar 2-1.

This Tuesday at 15:45, San Marino will face Austria, Serbia against Andorra, Latvia against Albania, Romania versus Cyprus, Finland against Poland, and the Netherlands against Malta.