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The Guardian
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
World Cup qualifiers: Spalletti exits with flat Italy victory, Haaland gives Norway boost
Luciano Spalletti took charge of Italy one last time on Monday, and while his side sent him off with a win, the sacked manager accepted that he is not leaving the team in a good place for his replacement. Spalletti paid the price for a 3-0 drubbing in Norway on Friday as Italy's World Cup qualifying campaign in Europe's Group I was compromised in their opening game, and an uninspired 2-0 home win over Moldova was not how he wished to bow out. Italy broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time through Giacomo Raspadori's strike from the edge of the penalty area, with Andrea Cambiaso adding another soon after the restart. 'I'm disappointed with the result,' Spalletti said. 'I don't give back to those who come after me a great national team, because we didn't play a great match tonight either. I was given the opportunity to work, I tried, I made mistakes and I even tried some experiments. I try to learn everything in whatever I approach; I'm not convinced I'm the smartest one. I haven't been able to get the best out of these players and I have to take note of that.' The former Napoli manager announced his own dismissal on the eve of the Moldova match, which comes after less than two years in the role and included a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign. 'If you agree to coach the national team like I did, then you have to find the solution. You can't hide behind the fact that you have few players, you start to find alibis,' Spalletti said. 'I did badly and in some ways it is right that I go home. But I didn't resign, because I think I can do better. But, if I am told that I am no longer the one, then I sign the resolution [of the contract].' Italy have yet to name his replacement, with Claudio Ranieri reported to be the first choice. Spalletti was asked if he had any advice for his eventual successor. 'I tried to shake things up when I arrived but then maybe it was worse from what we saw,' he said. 'I wish all the best to the federation and to the new coach who will arrive.' Meanwhile, Norway strengthened their position at the top of Group I with a 1-0 win away in Estonia to maintain their perfect start after four games. Erling Haaland got the only goal just after the hour. In Group J, North Macedonia sit a point clear of Wales after a first-half goal from Aleksandar Trajkovski secured a 1-0 win away in Kazakhstan. Craig Bellamy's Wales lost a 4-3 thriller away to Belgium. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Croatia thrashed the Czech Republic 5-1 in Osijek to make it two wins from two in Group L. After Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol saw his early goal from a free-kick ruled out for offside, Andrej Kramaric broke the deadlock three minutes before half-time. The Czech captain, Tomas Soucek, headed in an equaliser just before the hour from a corner. Luka Modric swiftly put Croatia back in front from the penalty spot with Ivan Perisic adding a third in the 68th minute. Then Croatia put the result beyond doubt with two goals in the space of three minutes. Ante Budimir converted another spot-kick before Kramaric slotted in a fifth. The Czech Republic remain top of the group, having suffered a first loss after three straight wins. In the same group, the Faroe Islands came from behind to beat Gibraltar 2-1 in Tórshavn with a late goal from Patrik Johannesen.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Italy beat Moldova as Spalletti bids farewell
Italy claimed a 2-0 win over Moldova in Luciano Spalletti's final game as the men's national team said at a news conference on Sunday that Monday's World Cup qualifier would be his last match in 66-year-old had been told after Friday's 3-0 loss to Norway that he would be relieved of his duties and the Azzurri ensured he bowed out with a forward Giacomo Raspadori and Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso scored either side of half-time in Reggio Emilia to give Italy their first points in the was appointed in August 2023 and, although Italy went into Euro 2024 as reigning champions, they were knocked out by Switzerland in the last game was Spalletti's 24th as Italy coach and brought his 12th victory, giving him a win ratio of exactly 50% - the lowest of any permanent boss since Cesare Prandelli, who led the team from 2010 to 2014."When you're the national team coach you have no excuses, it's you who selects the squad," Spalletti told public broadcaster Rai."It's the coach who has to make the difference and unfortunately I wasn't able to do that."Monday's game was played in a flat atmosphere and Spalletti, who coached Napoli, Inter Milan and Roma in Serie A, said tiredness was a factor behind Italy's uninspiring winning display."I maintained this group, but I found them really fatigued at this stage of the season," he added."Perhaps seeking someone in better physical shape might've helped, but the fact we have 25 players all a bit like this means the campaign really took it out on everyone."This will be a very different team in much better shape come September."Italy's next qualifiers are against Estonia and Israel on 5 and 8 September.
Economic Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Economic Times
Italy secures vital win over Moldova as Spalletti bids farewell
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, Monday June 9, 2025. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP) Synopsis Italy defeated Moldova 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier. This win offers a parting gift for coach Luciano Spalletti. Spalletti is leaving after a defeat to Norway. Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso scored for Italy. Italy's victory keeps their qualification hopes alive. Norway leads the group. Italy needs to overtake Norway or face playoffs. Italy revived their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying hopes with a crucial 2-0 victory over Moldova in Reggio Emilia on Monday, providing outgoing coach Luciano Spalletti a parting gift after a turbulent week for the Azzurri. ADVERTISEMENT The win comes just days after Spalletti was informed he would be relieved of his duties following Italy's disappointing 3-0 defeat to Norway in their opening qualifier. That loss intensified scrutiny on the national team, who have failed to reach the last two World Cups, missing out in 2018 and 2022 after playoff heartbreaks. Despite the managerial uncertainty, Italy responded with a composed performance. Giacomo Raspadori opened the scoring, while Andrea Cambiaso doubled the lead, sealing the nation's first points in Group I. Italy's victory keeps their qualification hopes alive but leaves them in a precarious position. Norway, led by Erling Haaland's 62nd-minute winner over Estonia, have a perfect record with four wins from four matches. Italy trails Norway by nine points, though the Azzurri have played two fewer games. Only the group winner is guaranteed a spot at the expanded 48-team tournament in North America, while runners-up face the perilous playoff route—where Italy's recent campaigns have ended in disappointment. Italy's inability to increase their goal difference against Moldova could prove costly in a tight group, with every goal potentially vital. As the Azzurri transition to a new managerial era, the challenge remains steep: overhaul Norway's lead or risk another playoff tenure ends on a bittersweet note, but his final match delivered a much-needed boost for Italy's World Cup ambitions. The focus now shifts to building momentum under new leadership and reclaiming a place among football's elite. ADVERTISEMENT (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Arab News
Italy struggle but give sacked Spalletti winning send-off against Moldova
ITALY: Sacked Italy manager Luciano Spalletti bowed out with a victory after his side labored to an uninspired 2-0 home win over Moldova in their World Cup qualification match on Monday thanks to goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso. Spalletti announced his own dismissal on Sunday following Italy's 3-0 loss in Norway in their opening group game on Friday, but took charge for one final time where again the performance showed why a change of leadership was required. Norway, who won 1-0 in Estonia with Erling Haaland netting the winner, top Group I on 12 points from four games, with Israel on six points after three matches while Italy are third with three points from their two games. 'I asked the guys to let me go out with a victory,' Spalletti told Sky Sport shortly before kickoff. While his players duly obliged, it was perhaps a fitting end to Spalletti's time on the bench as another lacklustre showing failed to light up a far from full Stadio Citta del Tricolore. With Italy's slow, predictable build-up play failing to break through the visitors' rearguard, the hosts were given an early wake-up call when Ion Nicolaescu found the net only for his goal to be ruled out for offside. Italy's first threat came when defender Luca Ranieri, making his international debut, hit the crossbar with a header, and they found the breakthrough five minutes before the break. A headed clearance fell to Raspadori in the box who struck first time into the bottom corner but Moldova almost levelled before halftime when Oleg Reabciuk's shot from distance was parried away by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Artur Ionita's follow-up effort went wide of the far post and Daniel Dumbravanu's header from a corner was cleared off the line by Federico Dimarco as Italy hung onto their lead. Italy doubled their lead five minutes into the second half when substitute Riccardo Orsolini sent a low cross into the area which Davide Frattesi knocked on to Cambiaso who fired past keeper Cristian Avram. The two-goal cushion failed to inspire Italy. Frattesi was sent through on goal from a ball over the top by Alessandro Bastoni but he sent his shot straight at the keeper and Moldova continued to create chances of their own. 'We struggled again tonight,' Spalletti told Rai Sport. 'When you are the coach of the national team you cannot have alibis because he chooses the players and if they don't do well he can change them.' Spalletti's name was booed by large sections of the crowd when read out before kickoff, and the game failed to improve the mood, and Italian fans will hope for better when a replacement, rumored to be Claudio Ranieri, is installed.
CNA
4 hours ago
- Sport
- CNA
Italy struggle but give sacked Spalletti winning send-off against Moldova
ITALY :Sacked Italy manager Luciano Spalletti bowed out with a victory after his side laboured to an uninspired 2-0 home win over Moldova in their World Cup qualification match on Monday thanks to goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso. Spalletti announced his own dismissal on Sunday following Italy's 3-0 loss in Norway in their opening group game on Friday, but took charge for one final time where again the performance showed why a change of leadership was required. Norway, who won 1-0 in Estonia with Erling Haaland netting the winner, top Group I on 12 points from four games, with Israel on six points after three matches while Italy are third with three points from their two games. "I asked the guys to let me go out with a victory," Spalletti told Sky Sport shortly before kickoff. While his players duly obliged, it was perhaps a fitting end to Spalletti's time on the bench as another lacklustre showing failed to light up a far from full Stadio Citta del Tricolore. With Italy's slow, predictable build-up play failing to break through the visitors' rearguard, the hosts were given an early wake-up call when Ion Nicolaescu found the net only for his goal to be ruled out for offside. Italy's first threat came when defender Luca Ranieri, making his international debut, hit the crossbar with a header, and they found the breakthrough five minutes before the break. A headed clearance fell to Raspadori in the box who struck first time into the bottom corner but Moldova almost levelled before halftime when Oleg Reabciuk's shot from distance was parried away by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Artur Ionita's follow-up effort went wide of the far post and Daniel Dumbravanu's header from a corner was cleared off the line by Federico Dimarco as Italy hung onto their lead. Italy doubled their lead five minutes into the second half when substitute Riccardo Orsolini sent a low cross into the area which Davide Frattesi knocked on to Cambiaso who fired past keeper Cristian Avram. The two-goal cushion failed to inspire Italy. Frattesi was sent through on goal from a ball over the top by Alessandro Bastoni but he sent his shot straight at the keeper and Moldova continued to create chances of their own. "We struggled again tonight," Spalletti told Rai Sport. "When you are the coach of the national team you cannot have alibis because he chooses the players and if they don't do well he can change them." Spalletti's name was booed by large sections of the crowd when read out before kickoff, and the game failed to improve the mood, and Italian fans will hope for better when a replacement, rumoured to be Claudio Ranieri, is installed.
