Moldova 1-1 Estonia: World Cup 2026 Qualifiers draw
Moldova, managed by Lilian Popescu, had the first clear-cut chance. In the eighth minute, Danila Forov passed to Virgiliu Postolachi, who shot from outside the box and struck the crossbar.
The hosts broke the deadlock four minutes later. An Estonian player attempted a shot on goal; the ball deflected off a defender and fell to Mattias Kait, who scored with a spectacular long-range strike.
Later, in another attack from the hosts, Patrik Kristal shot from outside the box, but the ball flew over Cojuhar's goal. The visitors almost equalised. Following an error by the Estonian defence, Oleg Reabciuk passed to Sergiu Perciun, but his tame shot from inside the box was easily held by the host goalkeeper.
In the second half, Estonia posed the first threat. Ioan Yakovlev approached the Moldovan box and shot, but missed the target. The visitors responded with a shot from Ștefan Bodișteanu from the edge of the box; the ball, deflected, flew over the goal.
In the 64th minute, the nephew of Ion Caras scored the 1-1 equaliser. Mihai Ștefan won an aerial duel; the ball reached Virgiliu Postolachi, who passed to Bodișteanu. Bodișteanu scored with a superb shot from the edge of the box. The goal spurred Moldova on. Virgiliu Postolachi then shot from range, but the ball sailed over.
Estonia then applied greater pressure. Mattias Kait took advantage of a lapse in their defence and shot, but goalkeeper Andrei Cojuhar was alert. Just a minute later, a cross from the left wing reached the box; Sappinen shot, and Cojuhar made another crucial save.
The final whistle neared, and Moldova dominated. First, Mihail Gherasimencov shot from a distance, with the ball passing wide of the hosts' goal. Then Sergiu Plătică shot towards the near post, but goalkeeper Karl Hein made a vital stop. In the last significant action, in the 86th minute, Ștefan Bodișteanu shot from the edge of the box, sending the ball over the crossbar.
The Moldovan national team will play two more matches in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. On November 13, the 'Tricolours' will face Italy, and on November 16, they will play Israel. Both matches will take place at the Zimbru Stadium in Chișinău and will be broadcast live, exclusively on broadcaster Moldova 1.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
