Estonia Secures Thrilling Win Against Moldova In World Cup Qualifier

The intense World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Moldova and Estonia, held on March 25, 2025, ended with a thrilling 2:3 victory for the Estonian side. The match, marked by a significant early setback for Moldova, has left fans buzzing about the events that unfolded on the pitch.

Just five minutes into the game, Moldova suffered a major blow when goalkeeper Maxim Cojocaru received a red card after a foul, forcing the home team to play with ten men for the remainder of the match. This early dismissal set the tone for the game, creating an uphill battle for the Moldovans.

Estonia wasted no time capitalizing on their numerical advantage. In the 19th minute, Rasmus Peetson struck first, finding the net and giving the visitors a vital lead. Their confidence surged, and by the 30th minute, Estonia had doubled their advantage. Rauno Sappinen scored after a corner taken by Kevor Palumets. In what appeared to be a routine play, goalkeeper Andrei Cojuhar mistakenly allowed the ball to slip through his hands and into the net, a moment that left the Moldovan defense reeling.

The hole just got deeper for Moldova as they found themselves trailing 0:2 at the end of the first half, adding pressure as they attempted to regroup. Despite some effort in the first half, including shots from Ion Nicolaescu, who tested Estonia's goalkeeper Matvei Igonen, Moldova could not penetrate the Estonian defense.

After the break, the tables turned slightly when Estonia's Palumets received a second yellow card, evening the sides at 10 players. This opened up new opportunities for Moldova to claw their way back into the match, and they did not disappoint. On 67 minutes, Ion Nicolaescu scored, bringing hopes of a comeback alive for the home crowd.

However, just three minutes later, Estonia countered effectively, with Mattias Kait restoring their two-goal cushion. His strike, a powerful shot from the edge of the box, found the bottom corner and calmed any nerves within the Estonian camp. The scoreboard read 1:3, leaving Moldova facing a daunting task once again.

As the match approached its conclusion, Moldova managed to net one more goal in the first minute of stoppage time through Mihail Caimacov, who executed a well-placed free kick, wrapping up the score at 2:3. Despite the valiant effort, it was too late to change the outcome, and Estonia celebrated their first victory of the qualification round.

This match was crucial for both teams, especially following their respective defeats in the earlier matches; Moldova had faced a heavy 0:5 defeat against Norway, while Estonia lost 1:2 to Israel. After this match-up, Estonia now stands at third in their group, eager to build momentum, while Moldova remains in a challenging position, struggling at the bottom of Group I.

Looking ahead, both teams will hope to learn from this game as they prepare for their next matches in June. For Moldova, the focus will surely be on improving their defensive strategies and ensuring player discipline, while Estonia aims to maintain their newfound form as they continue their quest for World Cup qualification.