Norway’s 4-1 victory over Estonia earlier on Thursday effectively ended the Azzurri’s chances of qualifying automatically for next year’s finals, but they could at least delay the celebrations in Oslo with victory over Moldova.
Unsurprisingly, against a side with just one point from their six games in this qualification cycle, it was one-way traffic in the first half as Gennaro Gattuso’s men put their hosts under intense pressure.
However, they were left frustrated at the end of the opening period as they failed to find the back of the net. Moldova goalkeeper Andriy Kozhukhar was solid between the sticks, denying Bryan Cristante in particular, but it was generally the desperate, last-gap blocks from the backline that thwarted the visitors.
When they did fire off a shot that was not kept out by one of - or a combination - of the two, Gianluca Mancini somehow fired over the bar with Kozhukhar nowhere to be seen, while Cristante fired narrowly wide of the post from distance.
Moldova, meanwhile, made just one real foray forward, but it almost produced a goal as Virgiliu Postolachi volleyed over while unmarked shortly after the half-hour mark.
After the break, Italy remained on top, but created considerably fewer dangerous opportunities as Moldova continued to stand firm.
Sandro Tonali did sting Kozhukhar’s palms, while substitute Mateo Retegui had a header easily held by the Vulturii shot-stopper, yet Italy will feel they should have tested him far more frequently.
On occasion, Moldova even tried to venture into the opposite half, although they were toothless when they finally got there.
After pushing until the final seconds, Italy finally broke down the Moldovan barrier and netted in the 88th minute when Mancini atoned for his earlier miss by heading home his second international goal.
Then, deep into stoppage time, Pio Esposito nodded home to secure the points.
After failing to qualify for each of the past two World Cups, Italy will almost certainly have to do so this time around via the playoffs, even with a match against Norway to come at the San Siro on Sunday, due to the Scandinavian country’s significantly superior goal difference.
Moldova, meanwhile, were so close to one of the most famous results in their history, which would have considerably made up for their disappointing qualification process.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Artur Craciun (Moldova)