They could be satisfied with a draw. Even losing by eight goals and still qualifying. This shows the extraordinary journey achieved by Norway during the direct qualifying phase for the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Group I leaders with 24 points at the start of the final between them and Italy this Sunday evening, teammate Erling Haaland preferred to make more of an impression.
And reconnected with a competition they had not participated in for 1998 years by breaking down its doors: heard left San Siro with a resounding 4-1 victory against Italy. Gianluigi Donnarumma’s team-mates will be forced to make it through the play-offs in hopes of seeing America… Not convincing for the Squadra Azzurra who still have two failures in a similar configuration, against Sweden in 2017 and North Macedonia in 2022.
Sunday night, Italy, who opened the scoring (12th) through Pio Esposito, actually had no chance of hope, failing to add to the score despite good activity in the first half. In the 60th minute, Antonio Susa punished this inefficiency with a powerful, slightly deflected shot (1-1)… before Erling Haaland (55 goals in 48 caps) came out of the box to score twice in two short minutes (78, 80). A volley from the left, then a cross from the right, which of course dashed his hopes.
In stoppage time, Strand Larsen, who replaced the Manchester City striker in the 88th minute to a standing ovation, took action to amplify the celebrations by scoring his goal. After 1938, 1994 and 1998, Norway will compete in 2026, the fourth world championship in its history.
