Italy Bounce Back From Opening WC Qualifying Shock

With a parting gift for Luciano Spalletti, Italy have beaten Moldova 2-0 for their first points in the beleaguered national team’s attempt to reach the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2014.

Spalletti was informed ahead of Monday night’s 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. Yet the Azzurri remained in a perilous position in Group I, with Norway beating Estonia 1-0 — thanks to Erling Haaland’s 62nd-minute goal — to make it four wins from four halfway through qualifying.

Italy stay nine points behind Norway — albeit having played two fewer matches — and might have missed a good chance to rack up some goals to boost their goal difference.

Only the top team from each of the 12 groups qualify automatically for next year’s expanded 48-team tournament in North America. The runners-up go into the playoffs — the stage where Italy were eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia to miss out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively, in a humiliation for one of Europe’s traditional powers.

“We are the first to know it wasn’t a great game, we wanted to give the coach a better send-off,” Cambiaso said.

“We are professionals, unfortunately these things happen in sport. Spalletti is a great coach, has such passion for the sport, and every time a coach is fired, it hurts the players. We feel really sad.”

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In Brussels, Belgium were heading for a second straight draw to open qualifying until Kevin De Bruyne struck late at King Baudouin Stadium to consign rejuvenated Wales to a first defeat under Craig Bellamy in his 10 matches in charge.

Four days after being held by North Macedonia, Belgium sped ahead 3-0 inside the first half hour through goals by Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku.

Wales mounted a stirring recovery to draw level by the 69th, only for De Bruyne to meet a deep cross with a left-footed volley inside the near post. The playmaker is preparing to leave Manchester City after 10 years, with Napoli a possible destination according to reports in Britain.

North Macedonia won at Kazakhstan 1-0 and lead Group J on eight points — one above Wales and four above Belgium, who have two games in hand.

Croatia beat the Czech Republic 5-1 and trimmed the gap to their opponents to three points in Group L. Croatia have played only two games — winning both — whereas the Czechs have played four and won three.

Thewest.com.au