Overview
- Norway beat Estonia 4-1 in Oslo with braces from Alexander Sorloth and Erling Haaland, opening an insurmountable gap on goal difference for the direct spot.
- Italy defeated Moldova 2-0 in Chisinau thanks to late headers by Gianluca Mancini and Francesco Pio Esposito after long struggles to break down a deep defense.
- The standings leave Norway virtually qualified for 2026, while Italy’s remaining group match against Norway at San Siro is unlikely to alter the direct-qualification outcome.
- The playoff draw is scheduled for 20 November, with single-leg semifinals on 26 March and a potential final on 31 March to decide Italy’s World Cup place.
- Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso criticized traveling fans’ chants as a disgrace and publicly backed his squad after the labored win.