Italy are going into the 2026 World Cup play-offs, as despite leading through Francesco Pio Esposito, Norway fully earned top spot with a comeback 4-1 win at San Siro.
The Azzurri knew that although a victory would put them level on points with Norway, only a 9-0 result could overturn the massive gap in goal difference. With that in mind, Sandro Tonali and Andrea Cambiaso were rested to avoid suspension in the play-off semi-finals, while Moise Kean, Riccardo Calafiori, Niccolò Cambiaghi, Leonardo Spinazzola, Giorgio Scalvini and more were injured, but Nicolò Barella returned from his ban. Norway had a 100 per cent record, including the 3-0 win in Oslo that saw Luciano Spalletti fired in June.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
Federico Dimarco’s half-volley flashed wide as Esposito flicked on the Giovanni Di Lorenzo cross, but Italy took the lead soon after.
Dimarco pounced on a Julian Ryerson defensive error and rolled across for Esposito, who gathered with his back to goal, turned and fired in from seven yards. It was the Inter centre-forward’s third goal in five senior caps.
Esposito threatened a second on the night, his glancing header flashing wide from the Dimarco cross, and David Moller Wolf made a risky tackle on the ball through the back of the young striker.
Manuel Locatelli’s weak finish failed to trouble the goalkeeper, but Alexander Sorloth threatened by blasting just over from the edge of the box at the dawn of the second half and Sassuolo midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt’s cross skimmed the far post.
Norway were pushing in the second half and equalised when Antonio Nusa smashed a ferocious left-foot finish into the near top corner from just inside the box, with the aid of a deflection off Politano.
Gianluigi Donnarumma made a tricky save on Nusa’s volley at the back post on a corner, while Nyland did the same at the other end on the Esposito volley from Politano’s cross. Esposito threatened again moments later, his header flashing just wide.
Instead, Norway proved how clinical they have been throughout this World Cup qualifying campaign with two goals in the space of a minute.
First Haaland was left too much space for a sensational volley at the far post on Oscar Bobb’s cross, then Alessandro Bastoni gave it away to Genoa midfielder Morten Thorsby, who surged forward and rolled across for the Haaland tap-in.
Politano’s curler skimmed the far upright, and Gianluca Scamacca’s effort on the turn was charged down by Bologna defender Torbjorn Heggem.
With the last kick of the game, substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen took on Mancini and cut inside to bend a finish into the far bottom corner.
Norway won every single game in Group I with 37 goals scored and five conceded.
Italy 1-4 Norway
Esposito 11 (I), Nusa 63 (N), Haaland 78, 79 (N), Strand Larsen 93 (N)
Player statistic
| Pio Esposito (Assist: Federico Dimarco) |
 |
11' | ||
| Nicolò Barella |  |
45+3' |
| 63' | |
Antonio Nusa (Assist: Alexander Sörloth) | ||
| Alessandro Bastoni | |
67' | ||
| Pio Esposito | |
69' | ||
| 69' | |
Erling Haaland | ||
| 78' | |
Erling Haaland (Assist: Oscar Bobb) | ||
| 79' | |
Erling Haaland (Assist: Morten Thorsby) | ||
| 90+3' | |
Jörgen Strand Larsen (Assist: Morten Thorsby) | ||
| 90+3' | |
Jörgen Strand Larsen |
Match statistic
Ab5olute and utter di5grace. 2nd be5t?? 😂 We belong in the tra5h bin of hi5tory. 7 goals conceded to Norway 😂😂
Smashed, Italy’s defense exposed. Now we know where we stand
Fire Gatusso he’s not the right coach
Get Chiesa on the team
Play 4-3-3
Or Italy will not win the playoffs
Time for a real defense
We can thank Seria A for this!
I was right about that Italy will concede 3 or more goals if Bastoni, Di Lorenzo, Mancini and Dimarco start.They are the worse defenders I’ve ever seen.
After twice failing to qualify for the world cup n 2018 and 2022,there are now more foreign players in Serie A than ever before.Two thirds of all players are foreigners.Our best coach is coaching our arch enemies in Brazil.”Calcio is back!”No its not.Italian football has lost its soul.