Norway qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday after a 4-1 win against Italy in the final qualifying match, condemning the country, which has missed the last two editions of the tournament, to the play-offs.
Norway ended the qualifying campaign with a perfect record of eight wins and finished six points ahead of four-time World Cup winners Italy, who will compete in the play-offs for the third time in a row.
Needing a nine-goal win due to Norway’s superior goal difference, the Italians came out full of aggression and made an early breakthrough just after 10 minutes when Francesco Pio Esposito rifled in a quick finish.
The hosts were dominant until the final minutes of the first half and came close to scoring a second goal several times, with Norway only having half a chance when Antonio Nusa’s shot went over the crossbar.
However, it was a very different Norway in the second half and Nusa equalized in the 63rd minute with a left-foot finish from the penalty area.
While Norway were in control in the closing stages, Italy paid the price for leaving Erling Haaland unmarked in the penalty area in the 78th minute when he met a cross and smashed home with ease.
Haaland finished the match a minute later with a second goal, taking his total for the campaign to 16.
Jorgen Strand Larsen scored the fourth in stoppage time for the visitors, who showed they would not be robbers at next year’s tournament.
Published on November 17, 2025
