Norway secured their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals in style on Sunday, defeating Italy 4-1 away in their final qualifying match. The victory in Milan’s San Siro stadium sealed the group's automatic qualification spot for Norway, marking their first appearance at the tournament since 1998.
Conversely, the defeat condemned four-time World Cup winner Italy, who has missed the last two editions, to the playoffs for the third consecutive occasion.
Norway ended their qualifying campaign with a perfect record of eight wins, finishing six points ahead of Italy. The Italians, needing a highly improbable nine-goal margin to clinch the group, started aggressively and briefly held a glimmer of hope when Francesco Pio Esposito scored after 11 minutes. Italy dominated the rest of the first half but failed to add a crucial second goal, going into the break with only a 1-0 lead.
The second half belonged entirely to Norway. Antonio Nusa leveled the score in the 63rd minute with a left-foot finish from inside the box. Then, the inevitable happened: Erling Haaland took center stage, scoring a decisive brace in the space of just two minutes.
He first volleyed home a cross in the 78th minute and wrapped up the match with a second goal a minute later, taking his tally for the qualifying campaign to an incredible 16 goals.
Coach Stale Solbakken praised his star striker, calling him a "goal machine." The Norwegian victory was sealed in stoppage time when Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen slotted home the fourth goal. Norway finished Group I with a goal difference of +32.
Italy's coach Gennaro Gattuso was left to prepare for the looming playoffs, which have historically been a source of disappointment for the Azzurri. The second-half collapse was a major concern for the Italian side, who exited the San Siro to a chorus of whistles from the remaining home fans. Solbakken's side, buoyed by the historic end to their 28-year wait, will now turn their focus to the World Cup draw.
