Erling Haaland’s Norway thump sorry Italy to reach first World Cup since 1998
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Norway's Erling Haaland in action with Italy's Davide Frattesi and Alessandro Bastoni on Nov 16.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MILAN – Norway coach Stale Solbakken is not letting the occasion get to him. His side qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 after Erling Haaland struck again in a 4-1 thumping of Italy on Nov 16, sealing a spot for the 2026 tournament.
Haaland’s brace at a drenched San Siro helped Norway finish Group I with a flawless record of 24 points from eight qualifying matches.
However, manager Solbakken downplayed the team’s World Cup chances in the United States, Canada and Mexico, despite breaking a 28-year drought.
“Let’s see the draw first... I haven’t even thought about it. For me, it (tonight) was to go from 99 per cent to 100 per cent and now we have done it in a great way,” he said.
“Let’s see what the draw brings before we go into those questions.”
Haaland’s father Alf-Inge was still an international player when Norway last competed in the World Cup 27 years ago, a tournament won by a Zinedine Zidane-inspired France.
And the Manchester City striker, called a “goal machine” by Solbakken, will be one of the players to watch in North America after smashing in 16 goals during qualifying. The 25-year-old is averaging more than a goal a game this 2025-26 season.
Norway, after falling behind to Pio Esposito’s 11th-minute goal for Italy, ultimately dominated. Antonio Nusa equalised in the 63rd minute and Haaland scored in the 78th and 79th minutes to put Norway ahead and double their lead. Jorgen Strand Larsen’s brilliant goal in stoppage time sealed the victory.
Italy will head to the play-offs in March after finishing the group six points behind Norway. They exited the San Siro field to a hail of whistles from the few home fans who had stayed until the end.
Coach Gennaro Gattuso apologised to supporters during his short interview with public broadcaster RAI and was clearly concerned about the second-half collapse.
“It’s worrying, I’d be a liar to say that it doesn’t concern me... and when you have nights like this, it’s much easier if you can stay together, improve the day to day,” said Gattuso. “What worries me is that we’ll next see each other in three months’ time.”
Italy missed the last two World Cups after play-off losses to Sweden and North Macedonia, the latter defeat coming less than a year after winning the European Championship in 2021. AFP
