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Italy Thrashed 4–1 by Norway, Sent to World Cup Play-Offs

Gattuso apologizes to fans, calling for a change to Europe’s qualifying system.

Overview

  • Norway clinches its first World Cup berth in 28 years after a perfect eight-win qualifying campaign.
  • Erling Haaland scores twice in Milan and ends qualifying with 16 goals.
  • Italy drops into March play-offs, with the knockout draw scheduled for Thursday.
  • Home fans boo the Azzurri as Italian media label the defeat a collapse and warn of a potential third straight World Cup miss.
  • Gattuso contends UEFA’s format forces group runners-up into risky play-offs and says Europe’s allocation under the 48-team expansion is unbalanced.