Norway qualify for World Cup 2026 with 4-1 win over Italy

Italy faced an almost impossible task, needing to win by nine goals at home against a Norwegian side that had already won all eight of their qualifying matches, including a 3-0 victory over Italy in Oslo. Norway finished the group six points ahead of Italy, marking their fourth World Cup finals appearance. Four-time world champions Italy will now have to repeat the play-off scenario of 2018 and 2022, hoping to succeed this time after losing to Sweden and North Macedonia in the previous editions.

Italy’s hopes under Gattuso

There is a glimmer of hope for Italy, as since Gennaro Gattuso took over following the sacking of Luciano Spalletti after Norway’s win in Oslo in early June, he revived the team’s spirit, securing five consecutive wins before Sunday’s defeat.

Gattuso started the match without Sandro Tonali and Andrea Cambiaso to avoid yellow cards that would have ruled them out of the play-offs, but took a risk with Davide Frattesi despite him being in the same situation. Up front, Matteo Retigui and Francesco Pio Esposito were selected, while Nicolo Barella returned to midfield after suspension in the 2-0 win over Moldova in the previous round. Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma faced Erling Haaland, his teammate at Manchester City, in goal.

Match highlights and key moments

Italy started strongly and capitalised on a defensive error in the box by Julian Ryerson. Federico Dimarco won the ball and exchanged passes with Retigui before delivering it to Pio Esposito of Inter, who scored in the 11th minute, marking his third goal in just five international matches at the age of 20. At 20 years and 141 days, he became the fourth youngest player to score a hat-trick for the national team, after Giuseppe Meazza (19y 191d), Mario Corso (20y 71d), and Gianni Rivera (20y 84d), according to Opta statistics.

Italy continued to press but created no real chances until the 36th minute, when Dimarco’s precise cross found Pio Esposito, whose header narrowly missed the left post.

Norway began the second half with a strong chance from Alexander Sorloth, whose shot from the edge of the box went just over the bar (46). Norway’s performance improved, and they surprised Italy with an equaliser from Antonio Nusa, whose powerful strike beat Donnarumma in the 63rd minute.

The score remained level until the 78th minute, when Haaland gave Norway the lead with a superb volley from close range following a cross from Oscar Bob. Haaland then scored his second of the match and 16th of the qualifiers after a counter-attack triggered by a mistake from Gianluca Mancini and a cross from substitute Morten Thorsby (79). Finally, substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen added Norway’s fourth with a fast counter-attack goal in stoppage time (90+3).