Italy faces embarrassment in World Cup qualifiers against Haaland's Norwegian team
On the world stage, the Italian national team has always been a force to be reckoned with. But in their first World Cup qualifier of 2026, they suffered a humiliating loss against Norway. A star-studded lineup led by Erling Haaland dismantled the Azzurri, scoring a resounding 3-0 victory.
Italy's defeats in the previous two World Cups and the late start due to the Nations League made the ongoing campaign even more crucial for the four-time champions. Yet, the Squadra Azzurra started on the wrong foot, leaving spectators in disbelief. Missing key players like Alessandro Buongiorno, Mattia Gabbia, Manuel Locatelli, and Moise Kean didn't help matters [1][2].
The match in Oslo was a showcase of the Azzurri's inability to respond effectively to the Norwegian team's relentless attacks. Former coach Luciano Spalletti's tactics were heavily criticized, as Italy failed to capitalize on any scoring opportunities and were outmaneuvered by Norway [2][3].
Alexander Sörloth (14'), Antonio Nusa (34'), and Haaland (42') scored against the Italians in a devastating first half, leaving little hope for a comeback. Extraordinary performances by both Haaland and Martin Odegaard set the tone for Norway's eventual victory, keeping them undefeated and celebrating their third win in three games [1][4].
Germany, on the other hand, is keeping a close eye on Italy, as they are in a race for the ninth spot in the FIFA rankings. Team coach Julian Nagelsmann will lead his team in the qualifiers, starting in September against Slovakia, Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg. First, they will face France in the Nations League final on Sunday, using the game as a test of character [1].
The loss to Norway raises significant concerns for Italy's qualification chances. To revive their campaign and regain their former glory, the Azzurri must quickly address their strategic and personnel issues [2][3]. Meanwhile, the Norwegians look stronger than ever as they continue to dominate the World Cup qualifiers, led by the spectacular form of Erling Haaland.
Sources: ntv.de, tsi/sid, dpa [1][2][3][4]
- Erling Haaland
- Football
- International Match
- World Cup Qualifiers
- Football World Cup 2026
The community and employment policies must be revised to ensure the Azzurri team can retain their best players, securing their future success in the World Cup. Erling Haaland demonstrated his exceptional skill in football during the Oslo match, displaying why he's a valuable asset to any team in the World Cup qualifiers.
