Norway made the difference in the first ten minutes after the break. Alexander Sorloth (50., 52.) and captain Erling Haaland (56.) provided a comfortable 3-0 lead, each time with a striking header.
Just after the hour mark, Haaland widened the gap with his second goal, after which Robi Saarma (64.) almost immediately signed for the savior. Haaland scored fourteen goals in these World Cup qualifiers, making the Manchester City striker the top scorer.
Italy won 0-2 in Group I after late goals from Mancini (88.) and Esposito (90.+2) in Moldova. On Sunday, Italy (18 points) and Norway (21 points) will face each other in Milan on the final matchday in group I. Because the goal difference weighs in the balance, Norway can almost certainly rest on both ears. With Erling Haaland and co. this is +29 compared to +12 for Italy.
How Italy is in danger of missing the World Cup for the third time in a row
France qualified for next year’s Men’s Football World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada on Thursday evening. Les Bleus easily defeated Ukraine 4-0 in group D at the Parc des Princes in Paris, which was enough to ensure participation in the World Cup. Mbappé (55., pen. and 83.), Olise (76.) and Ekitiké (88.) scored the French goals.
The 2018 world champion has thirteen points from five games, and with one match day to go, can no longer be kept up by pursuers Iceland and Ukraine (7 points each).
In group F, Portugal and national coach Roberto Martinez lost to Ireland 2-0 (17 and 45) on a visit to Dublin. Parrott scored both goals. Cristiano Ronaldo made a negative impression on the hour with an elbow in the back of an opponent. After VAR intervention, he was shown a red card, after which CR7 left the field with a lot of commotion and challenged the Irish crowd.
Portugal (10 points) is not yet certain of the World Cup, with Hungary (8 points) and Ireland (7 points) as pursuers.
England, already certain of World Cup participation, hosted Serbia in group K at Wembley. The Three Lions won 2-0 after goals from Saka (28.) and Eze (90.). Still in group K, Albania triumphed in Andorra 0-1. Albania is assured of second place.
Only the group winners qualify directly for the World Cup. The numbers two have to go to the play-offs.