Late goals from Gianluca Mancini and Francesco Pio Esposito helped Italy to a 2-0 win away against Moldova on Thursday, keeping alive their faint hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup with their sixth consecutive victory, Reuters reported.

The result lifted Italy to 18 points, three behind group leaders Norway, who earlier beat Estonia 4-1, with the two sides meeting on the final qualifying matchday on Sunday. The Azzurri now face what looks an impossible task, needing to win and overturn Norway's goal difference of 17.

"I saw an Italy that played well, we were out there and (Moldova) never shot on goal," Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso told Rai. "I am very satisfied, we did what we had to do and gave some of the lads some playing time."