With this result, Norway earned 24 points from 8 matches, securing their World Cup qualification after 28 years. Norway's last appearance at a major tournament was the 1998 World Cup, featuring a generation of players like Tore Andre Flo, former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and the team's current coach, Stale Solbakken. At that time, they finished above Morocco and Scotland, trailing only Brazil. However, Norway lost 0-1 to Italy in the round of 16.

Italy, meanwhile, finished second in their group and must now compete in the play-offs for a World Cup spot for the third consecutive time. In the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, after finishing second in their group behind Spain, they lost 0-1 on aggregate to Sweden. For the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, after placing second in their group behind Switzerland, former coach Roberto Mancini's side lost 0-1 to North Macedonia.

The draw for the 2026 World Cup play-offs will take place on 20/11, with Italy among the seeded teams. They will play their home semi-final match on 26/3/2026, likely at New Balance Arena in Bergamo. If they win, Italy will advance to the final on 31/3, with home or away status depending on the draw results.

The Norway national team celebrates their ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Photo: VG

Despite playing at their home stadium, San Siro, Italy faced a nearly impossible task of winning by at least 9 goals to overtake Norway at the top of the group. Therefore, a more realistic goal for the "Azzurri" was to avenge their 0-3 defeat in Oslo in the first leg.

Gennaro Gattuso's squad started strong and opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Following a combination play in the penalty area, Francesco Pio Esposito, an Inter Milan player, turned and shot past goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

At 20 years and 141 days old, Esposito became the 4th youngest player to reach three goals for Italy, following Giuseppe Meazza (19 years, 191 days), Mario Corso (20 years, 71 days), and Gianni Rivera (20 years, 84 days).

Erling Haaland celebrates his second goal in Norway's 4-1 victory over Italy in the final Group I match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers at San Siro, Milan, Italy on 16/11. Photo: AFP

However, this was all the home team managed. Norway began their comeback in the 63rd minute when Antonio Nusa burst into the penalty area and fired a shot from a tight angle into Italy's net.

In the 78th minute, Oscar Bobb delivered a cross from the left wing, which Erling Haaland connected with a left-footed volley from close range, leaving his Manchester City teammate, Gianluigi Donnarumma, unable to save it. Just one minute later, the Norwegian striker slotted home a diagonal shot, completing his brace.

Norway's triumphant day concluded in the 3rd minute of added time when substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen scored, sealing the 4-1 victory.

Hong Duy