4-time World Cup winners Italy began their qualifier in Moldova on Thursday realizing that second place in Group I and a spot within the play-offs beckoned.
Norway’s 4-1 dwelling win over Estonia earlier within the day put the group leaders six factors above the Azzurri forward of the closing match for each groups in opposition to one another in Milan on Sunday, however their 19-goal superiority over Gennaro Gattuso’s aspect means they’ve all-but mathematically certified.
Albania, who host England on Sunday, had been aiming to remain second in Group Ok once they visited Andorra, who began on one level.
Meet up with the experiences, outcomes and targets from Moldova vs Italy and Andorra vs Albania in Thursday’s World Cup 2026 qualifying internationals.
Moldova vs Italy: Guests safe play-off spot
Italy left it late however ultimately claimed a 2-0 win away to Moldova to safe their spot within the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
Gennaro Gattuso’s aspect dominated from the beginning, making a flurry of early probabilities, but Moldova’s defensive rapproach stored the match goalless till the closing minutes.
The breakthrough lastly arrived within the 88th minute when Dimarco floated a exact cross for Mancini to go in.
Substitute Esposito then added a second with a strong header from Politano’s supply.
Moldova provided large effort however little attacking menace, ending with simply 0.41 xG in comparison with Italy’s 2.59.
Moldova beginning XI: Andrii Kozhukhar, Mihail Stefan, Artur Craciun, Daniel Dumbravanu, Oleg Reabciuk, Sergiu Perciun, Vadim Rata, Artur Ionita, Ioan-Calin Revenco, Ion Nicolaescu, Virgiliu Postolachi
Moldova substitutes: Emil Timbur, Catalin Cucos, Stefan Bitca, Stefan Bodisteanu, Vitalie Damascan, Mihail Caimacov, Cristian Avram, Vladimir Fratea, Ion Bors, Danila Forov, Victor Bogaciuc, Sergiu Platica
Italy beginning XI: Guglielmo Vicario, Raoul Bellanova, Gianluca Mancini, Alessandro Buongiorno, Andrea Cambiaso, Riccardo Orsolini, Bryan Cristante, Giacomo Raspadori, Sandro Tonali, Mattia Zaccagni, Gianluca Scamacca
Italy substitutes: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Federico Dimarco, Manuel Locatelli, Samuele Ricci, Matteo Politano, Mateo Retegui, Marco Carnesecchi, Matteo Gabbia, Davide Frattesi, Francesco Pio Esposito, Alessandro Bastoni, Giovanni Di Lorenzo
Andorra vs Albania: Eagles take second spot behind England
Albania edged previous Andorra with a 1-0 win, determined by Kristjan Asllani’s second-half strike.
The guests created the clearer probabilities all through, twice going shut earlier than the break by means of Manaj and Djimsiti, who hit the bar.
Andorra labored arduous to remain within the recreation however provided little menace of their very own. The breakthrough got here within the 67th minute when Myrto Uzuni led a fast counterattack and squared for Asllani to complete low into the nook.
Andorra pushed late on however Albania managed the closing phases nicely to safe the factors and transfer behind England within the standings.
Andorra beginning XI: Alex Ruiz, Biel Borra, Max Llovera, Ian Olivera, Moises San Nicolas, Aron Rodrigo, Pau Babot, Eric Izquierdo, Joan Cervos, Berto Rosas, Guillaume López
Andorra substitutes: Josep Gomes, Dacu, Marc Rebes, Eric de Pablos, Ot Remolins, Hugo Ferreira, Cucu, Sergio Moreno, Xisco Pires, Chus Rubio, Joao Teixeira, Marc García
Albania beginning XI: Thomas Strakosha, Elseid Hysaj, Berat Djimsiti, Arlind Ajeti, Mario Mitaj, Juljan Shehu, Kristjan Asllani, Qazim Laci, Armando Broja, Rey Manaj, Arber Hoxha
Albania substitutes: Ivan Balliu, Jasir Asani, Nedim Bajrami, Myrto Uzuni, Mario Dajsinani, Indrit Tuci, Medon Berisha, Naser Aliji, Ardian Ismajli, Mirlind Daku, Ylber Ramadani, Simon Simoni
June 6: Norway 3-0 Italy
June 9: Italy 2-0 Moldova
September 5: Italy 5-0 Estonia
September 8: Israel 4-5 Italy
October 11: Estonia 1-3 Italy
October 14: Italy 3-0 Israel
November 13: Moldova 0-2 Italy
November 16: Italy vs Norway
Italy: World Cup 2026 qualifying path
The highest group from every of the 12 European Qualifier teams proceeds routinely to the finals, which shall be expanded to 48 groups.
The 12 runners-up in every group will be a part of 4 Nations League groups within the play-offs, which shall be drawn from pots based mostly on groups’ data in the course of the marketing campaign. The video games will comprise single-leg semi-finals and finals and happen on March 26 and 31 2026.
The draw for the World Cup finals will happen in December 2025. The event runs from June 11 till July 19 2026.
