Norwegian victory in Oslo: Blue team triumphs over Italy with a 3-0 score
Here's a potted rundown of Italy's World Cup qualifier debacle in Oslo, against a cracking Norway side that left the Azzurri grasping for straws, with a damaging 3-0 defeat in their debut. The grand ol' Italy, jeered by the over 800 Italians in the stands, struggled to match Norway's speed and physical prowess. Striker Sorloth nabbed the first goal, leaving Donnarumma in the dust, followed by another beauty by Nusa for the double at the 30th minute. The absolute show-stealer was Erling Haaland's goal in the second half, putting the icing on the Norwegian cake.
The Azzurri's second half attempts to turn the tide, predictably for many, yielded little to no results. Spalletti's Italy, now facing a distant, unforgiving World Cup, will need to pull out all the stops for their match against Moldova in Reggio Emilia next week, with Moldova being a prime target for Italy to start a comeback trail in the group, before their crucial return match against Norway.
For Norway, who still haven't tasted defeat with three wins under their belt, their World Cup qualification prospects look rosy, while the Italian dream is on the wane, already at risk of missing the appointment for the third consecutive time. It's a daunting prospect for the Italian team, who will need top-notch performances and a strong squad, minus key injuries, to stand a chance in this cutthroat competition.
Insights:- Italy currently has 0 points in Group I, faced a 3-0 defeat against Norway, placing them at the bottom of the standings at this early stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.- Norway, with three wins in three games, leads Group I with maximum points.- Italy is at risk of missing the World Cup for the third consecutive time after this heavy defeat, and urgently needs to improve their performance to keep qualification hopes alive.
- In the midst of Europe's top leagues, Italy's Serie A will witness intense scrutiny as Spalletti's squad strives to regain form, with the World Cup qualification games looming.
- Given their current form, Norway's continued dominance in European-leagues, including their Serie-A players, raises questions about Italy's ability to challenge them again in the World Cup qualifiers.
