Football

Italy 2-0 Moldova, FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers: Luciano Spalletti Gets Parting Gift

With a parting gift for Luciano Spalletti, Italy beat Moldova 2-0 on Tuesday (June 10, 2025) for their first points in the beleaguered team’s attempt to reach the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2014. Spalletti was informed ahead of the game in Reggio Emilia that he would be losing his job as Italy coach in the wake of the team’s 3-0 loss in Norway last week, which marked a dreadful way to begin their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. Goals by Giacomo Raspadiro and Andrea Cambiaso meant Spalletti at least departed with a victory.

FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers soccer match  Italy vs Moldova: Mateo Retegui
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Italy vs Moldova | Photo: Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP

Italy's Mateo Retegui, right, and Moldova's Victor Mudrac in action during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers soccer match between Italy and Moldova at the Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers soccer match  Italy vs Moldova: Luciano Spalletti
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Italy vs Moldova | Photo: Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP

Italy's coach Luciano Spalletti during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers soccer match between Italy and Moldova at the Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers soccer match  Italy vs Moldova: Mateo Reteguiand
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Italy vs Moldova | Photo: Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP

Italy's Mateo Reteguiand and Moldova's Sergiu Platica, right, in action during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers soccer match between Italy and Moldova at the Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers soccer match  Italy vs Moldova: Andrea Cambiaso
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Italy vs Moldova | Photo: Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP

Italy's Andrea Cambiaso, left, celebrates scoring with Mateo Retegui during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers soccer match between Italy and Moldova at the Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers soccer match  Italy vs Moldova: Luciano Spalletti
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Italy vs Moldova | Photo: Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP

Italy's coach Luciano Spalletti gestures on the sidelines during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers soccer match between Italy and Moldova at the Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers soccer match  Italy vs Moldova: Andrea Cambiaso
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Italy vs Moldova | Photo: Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP

Italy's Andrea Cambiaso and Moldova's Stefan Bodisteanu, left, in action during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers soccer match between Italy and Moldova at the Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers soccer match  Italy vs Moldova: Davide Frattesi
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Italy vs Moldova | Photo: Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP

Italy's Davide Frattesi, center left, and Moldova's Daniel Dumbravanu in action during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers soccer match between Italy and Moldova at the Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers soccer match  Italy vs Moldova: Giacomo Raspadori
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Italy vs Moldova | Photo: Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP

Italy's Giacomo Raspadori celebrates scoring during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers soccer match between Italy and Moldova at the Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers soccer match  Italy vs Moldova: Virgiliu Postolachi
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Italy vs Moldova | Photo: Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP

Moldova's Virgiliu Postolachi, right, and Italy's Alessandro Bastoni in action during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers soccer match between Italy and Moldova at the Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers soccer match  Italy vs Moldova: Mihail Caimacov
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Italy vs Moldova | Photo: Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP

Moldova's Mihail Caimacov is challenged by Italy's Luca Ranieri, front, and Federico Dimarco during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers soccer match between Italy and Moldova at the Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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