World Cup qualifiers: Spalletti exits with flat Italy victory, Haaland gives Norway boost
Departing Italy coach downbeat despite 2-0 win over Moldova
Norway defeat Estonia 1-0; Croatia thrash Czech Republic
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.
