Overview
- Norway beat Estonia 4-1 in Oslo after a scoreless first half, with Alexander Sorloth scoring twice on headers before Erling Haaland added a rapid brace; Martin Saarma netted Estonia’s consolation.
- The victory extends Norway’s advantage to a +29 goal difference versus Italy’s +10 and a six-point lead over Italy, who have a game in hand, leaving the gap effectively unbridgeable under UEFA tiebreakers.
- Italy are now overwhelmingly likely to qualify via the UEFA play-offs rather than directly, with only extraordinary results able to alter the scenario.
- Italy coach Rino Gattuso rotated against Moldova to manage bookings, starting Nicolò Cambiaso and Sandro Tonali and holding Davide Frattesi in reserve to avoid suspensions.
- The play-off draw is scheduled for 20 November, with single-match semifinals on 26 March and potential finals on 31 March for places at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.