Francesco Pio Esposito is living the dream! The Inter Milan striker is making waves after scoring his second senior goal for Italy in their 2-0 victory against Moldova. The young star admits things have moved incredibly fast for him, going from Serie B to representing his country on the international stage.
Esposito's Rapid Rise
"It has all happened so quickly," Esposito told Sky Sport Italia. "Just four months ago I was playing in Serie B with Spezia, then the Club World Cup happened, Inter and Italy." He acknowledges the need to stay grounded and remember his roots, especially during inevitable periods where goals might be harder to come by.
The victory over Moldova came after Italy learned that Norway's win over Estonia meant they couldn't secure the top spot in Group I. Despite this, Esposito emphasized the team's determination: "Regardless of the Norway result, these are your classic games away from home against a team pinned into their own half where if you don’t break the deadlock, it starts to drag on, but we never gave up and found the way through." Gianluca Mancini opened the scoring late in the game, followed by Esposito's goal in stoppage time.
World Cup Play-offs Loom
Italy is now mathematically guaranteed a spot in the 2026 World Cup play-offs, starting with the semi-final in March 2026. While the team would have preferred automatic qualification, they remain focused on securing their place in the tournament.
Looking Ahead
Esposito is eager to continue his development and contribute to both Inter Milan and the Italian national team. He hopes to score at San Siro soon, adding another milestone to his already impressive journey. The young striker credits coaches like Gattuso and Chivu for believing in him and providing opportunities to shine.
Italy Aim for Victory Against Moldova
In other news, Italy secured a crucial 3-0 victory against Moldova in their World Cup qualifier. Gli Azzurri needed the win to keep their qualification hopes alive, especially with a tough match against Norway on the horizon. Mateo Retegui scored twice, while Di Lorenzo added another to seal the win.
- Under 3.5 goals was predicted and came true.
- A strong second-half performance secured the victory.
- Mateo Retegui proved to be a key player, netting two goals.
The victory keeps Italy in contention for a World Cup spot, although they may still face the play-offs depending on Norway's results.