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Haaland Brace Seals Norway’s World Cup Return as 4-1 Comeback Stuns Italy

Italy now enter March playoffs, with opponents to be drawn on Nov. 20.

Overview

  • Norway overturned an early Francesco Pio Esposito strike at San Siro, with Antonio Nusa leveling before Erling Haaland scored in the 78th and 79th minutes and Jorgen Strand Larsen added a stoppage-time fourth.
  • The victory confirms Norway’s first World Cup appearance since 1998 and caps a perfect group campaign.
  • Haaland finished qualifying with 16 goals, matching Robert Lewandowski’s record for a single UEFA group stage.
  • Italy end second in Group I and will contest the two-step playoff in March 2026, entering as top seeds with a home semi-final on Mar. 26 after the Nov. 20 draw.
  • Norway’s dominance followed a controlled Italian first half, underscoring a qualifying cycle in which the Norwegians also beat the Azzurri 3-0 in June.