Four-time World Cup winners Italy started their qualifier in Moldova on Thursday knowing that second place in Group I and a place in the play-offs beckoned.
Norway’s 4-1 home win over Estonia earlier in the day put the group leaders six points above the Azzurri ahead of the closing match for both teams against each other in Milan on Sunday, but their 19-goal superiority over Gennaro Gattuso’s side means they have all-but mathematically qualified.
Albania, who host England on Sunday, were aiming to stay second in Group K when they visited Andorra, who started on one point.
Catch up with the reports, results and goals from Moldova vs Italy and Andorra vs Albania in Thursday’s World Cup 2026 qualifying internationals.
Moldova vs Italy: Visitors secure play-off spot
Italy left it late but eventually claimed a 2-0 win away to Moldova to secure their spot in the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side dominated from the start, creating a flurry of early chances, yet Moldova’s defensive rapproach kept the match goalless until the closing minutes.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 88th minute when Dimarco floated a precise cross for Mancini to head in.
Substitute Esposito then added a second with a powerful header from Politano’s delivery.
Moldova offered huge effort but little attacking threat, finishing with just 0.41 xG compared to Italy’s 2.59.
Moldova starting 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 starting 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 past Andorra with a 1-0 win, decided by Kristjan Asllani’s second-half strike.
The visitors created the clearer chances throughout, twice going close before the break through Manaj and Djimsiti, who hit the bar.
Andorra worked hard to stay in the game but offered little threat of their own. The breakthrough came in the 67th minute when Myrto Uzuni led a quick counterattack and squared for Asllani to finish low into the corner.
Andorra pushed late on but Albania managed the closing stages well to secure the points and move behind England in the standings.
Andorra starting 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 GarcÃa
Albania starting 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 top team from each of the 12 European Qualifier groups proceeds automatically to the finals, which will be expanded to 48 teams.
The 12 runners-up in each group will join four Nations League teams in the play-offs, which will be drawn from pots based on teams’ records during the campaign. The games will comprise single-leg semi-finals and finals and take place on March 26 and 31 2026.
The draw for the World Cup finals will take place in December 2025. The tournament runs from June 11 until July 19 2026.
