To leapfrog Norway and avoid the play-offs, the Azzurri must win by a scarcely imaginable nine-goal margin on the final matchday.

Already aware that the decisive clash with Norway was looming, Gennaro Gattuso rotated heavily in Chisinau, resting Donnarumma, Dimarco, Politano and Retegui. Even so, Italy controlled proceedings from the start and sought to manage minutes without compromising the result.

Italy carved out chances early on. Raspadori tested the goalkeeper from a tight angle, and in the 24th minute, Orsolini delivered a dangerous free-kick that left the net momentarily exposed, only for Mancini to blaze over from close range,

Moldova, pushed deep into their own half, threatened sporadically, with Postolachi missing the target at the far post in the 31st minute.

The tempo dipped after half-time. Italy dominated possession but struggled to create clean openings. Orsolini volleyed wide and Tonali saw a powerful strike beaten away. In the 77th minute, Pio Esposito spun sharply in the box but shot straight at Cojuhar, who continued to frustrate the Azzurri.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 88th minute. Dimarco floated in a precise cross and Mancini stooped to head home, scoring in consecutive matches for his country. Deep into added time, Tonali delivered a pinpoint free-kick for Pio Esposito, who sealed the 2-0 win with a firm header.

Despite the victory — Italy's eighth in as many meetings with Moldova — the equation for direct qualification has not changed. To overtake Norway, the Azzurri will need a nine-goal miracle at San Siro, meaning the play-offs remain their almost certain route to the World Cup.

G. Mancini

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