Norway qualifies for World Cup after 28 years, Haaland shines with brace
Despite several attacking attempts, the Italians failed to extend their advantage before halftime.
KATHMANDU: Norway has secured its place in the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 28 years after a commanding 4–1 victory over Italy on Sunday.
Erling Haaland scored twice in the space of two minutes to seal the historic qualification.
Italy had taken an early lead through Pio Esposito, who converted Federico Dimarco’s pass in the 11th minute.
Despite several attacking attempts, the Italians failed to extend their advantage before halftime.
The second half, however, belonged entirely to Norway. Antonio Nusa equalized in the 63rd minute, sparking the comeback.
Haaland then struck in the 78th and 79th minutes—first from an Oscar Bobb cross and then with a clinical finish—taking his tally to 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches.
Jørgen Strand Larsen added a stoppage-time goal to complete the 4–1 triumph.
Norway had already been on the brink of qualification after beating Estonia on Thursday. For Italy to advance directly, they needed a near-impossible nine-goal win against Norway.
With the qualification, Haaland follows in the footsteps of his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, who represented Norway in the 1998 World Cup.
Italy, meanwhile, must once again enter the playoffs—having failed to reach the last two World Cups after playoff defeats to Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022.
