MILAN (ITALPRESS) – MILAN (ITALPRESS) – Italy lost 4-1 against Norway, Haaland’s double and goals from Nusa and Strand Larsen were decisive, canceling out the lead scored by Pio Esposito. The Azzurri held out until half an hour into the second half, then a one-two signed by the Manchester City centre-forward handed Gattuso’s side their second defeat in the group after the game in Oslo, again against the Norwegian side (Spalletti was there at the time, for Ringhio it was his first defeat as a coach). The national team finished in second place, 18 o’clock: World Cup qualifiers will go through the playoffs for the third time in a row.
After confirming the rumors circulating the day before, Gattuso fielded a 3-5-2 formation with Barella and Frattesi to mark Locatelli, with space for Retegui and Pio Esposito in attack. Norway responded with their usual 4-4-2 formation, Haaland (marked by Mancini) joining Sorloth. The Azzurri managed to control the ball from the first minute, the first real chance fell to Dimarco, but the Inter winger’s shot ended up going wide. In the 11th minute the Azzurri took the lead, Esposito’s own turn in the six-yard box was decisive, breaking the deadlock in the match at San Siro.
After a fast start, the visitors took the measure of a national team that struggled to find offensive gaps: even a one-two in the straits did not work to open the Norwegian shirt. Solbakken’s team’s first dangerous action occurred in the 31st minute, but Nusa’s shot still soared high over the crossbar. Esposito in the 36th minute had the chance to make it 2-0, but his header went to Nyland’s left.
The second half started with Italy attacking again, but on two occasions it was Sorloth who was dangerous: the Atletico Madrid striker scared Donnarumma but couldn’t find his target. Norway’s equalizer came from Nusa’s personal initiative, in the 18th minute. There was a lot of nervousness in the last quarter of an hour, Mancini and Haaland often made contact in the Italian area. The Manchester City striker, in the space of one and a half minutes, scored two goals which canceled out the Azzurri’s good performance. Strand Larsen also scored the fourth goal in added time.
As the final whistle blew, Norway’s celebrations erupted as they returned to the World Cup after 28 years (last participation in 1998). Therefore, Italy will compete to gain access to the 2026 World Cup through the play-offs.
The Azzurri will finish in the first pot, among possible opponents Sweden, Romania, Northern Ireland, and one between Wales and North Macedonia (who in 2022 condemn the Azzurri for the second time after Sweden in 2018). The draw in Zurich, on November 20, will also determine another semi-final between the second and third tier teams. The first match will be held on March 26, the final on March 31.
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(ITALPRES).
