Liveblog: Moldova vs. Italy, 2026 World Cup qualifier

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Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from Italy’s World Cup qualifier in Moldova, the penultimate match in Group I.

It kicks off at the Stadionul Zimbru in Chisinau at 19.45 GMT.

The Azzurri are already guaranteed a place in the play-offs, but even if they finish joint top of the group with Norway, Erling Haaland’s side have by far the better goal difference.

Norway were 0-0 at half-time, but then Sorloth and Haaland braces practically guaranteed top spot and World Cup qualification.

Bryan Cristante is the Italy captain this evening, as he has the most caps out of the starting XI.

There are only three players who also started the most recent match, a 3-0 victory over Israel, specifically Sandro Tonali, Andrea Cambiaso and Giacomo Raspadori.

𝑨𝒛𝒛𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒂 è pronta per Moldova-Italia 💙#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro #MoldovaItalia pic.twitter.com/3ByWS1BaWB

— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) November 13, 2025

Italy social media channels have them set out as a 4-2-3-1 formation, which could indeed work. Or a 4-4-2.

🏟️👔💙#MoldovaItalia#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/R4BxWVrCp1

— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) November 13, 2025

If you had hope of Norway dropping points, well…

They were 0-0 with Estonia at half-time. And now lead 4-1.

Italy make numerous changes for the trip to Moldova, including Gianluca Scamacca, Giacomo Raspadori and Guglielmo Vicario in the starting XI.

Moldova: Cojuhar; Stefan, Craciun, Dumbravanu; Revenco, Perciun, Rata, Ionita, Reabciuk; Nicolaescu, Postolachi

Moldova bench: Timbur, Avram, Cucos, Bitca, Bodisteanu, Damascan, Caimacov, Fratea, Bors, Forov, Bogaciuc, Platica

Italy: Vicario; Bellanova, Mancini, Buongiorno, Cambiaso; Orsolini, Tonali, Cristante, Zaccagni; Scamacca, Raspadori

Italy bench: Donnarumma, Carnesecchi, Dimarco, Locatelli, Ricci, Politano, Retegui, Gabbia, Frattesi, Pio Esposito, Bastoni, Di Lorenzo