World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Moldova Fall at Home to Estonia
Moldova endured a disastrous start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, suffering a second consecutive home defeat—this time at the hands of Estonia.
After being thrashed by Norway in their opening match, Moldova once again found themselves chasing the game. A first-half goal from Estonia and a red card shown to Cojocaru left the home side with a mountain to climb. Although the visitors were later reduced to ten men as well, leveling the numbers on the pitch, Serghei Cleșcenco's team could only pull one goal back and failed to avoid defeat.
With this win, Estonia moved up to third in Group I, while Moldova remain bottom with zero points and a goal difference of 2:8 after two matches.
FIFA World Cup 2026, Qualifiers
Moldova - Estonia 2:3 (0:2)
Goals: Peetson, 19 (0:1); Sappinen, 30 (0:2); Nicolaescu I., 67 (1:2); Käit, 70 (1:3); Caimacov, 90 (2:3)
Moldova: Cojuhar Andrei; Reabciuk; Baboglo; Cojocaru (till 5); Craciun; Raţă V.; Bodișteanu (Boiciuc A., 85); Moțpan (Platica S., 78); Caimacov; Nicolaescu I.; Postolachi (Stînă, 78)
Bench: Avram Cr.; Cebotari N.; Posmac; Mudrac; Dumbravanu; Revenco; Pușcaș; Lungu; Bogaciuc
Yellow Cards: Baboglo 48; Nicolaescu I. 51; Raţă V. 63
Red cards: Cojocaru 5'
Estonia: Igonen; Kuusk; Peetson (Saliste, 52); Paskotsi; Schjönning-Larsen; Käit; Palumets (till 48); Ainsalu; Sinyavskiy V.; Sappinen (Tamm A., 66); Jakovlev I. (Miller M-n, 87)
Bench: Hein; Vallner; Tamm J.; Hussar; Kristal; Saarma; Jepihhin; Anier; Poom
Yellow Cards: Peetson 35; Palumets 44, 48; Käit 82; Ainsalu 90
Red cards: Palumets 48'
