Italy disaster, Norway wins 3-0 in the match for group I qualifying at the 2026 World Cup. The hosts impose themselves with Sorloth’s goals (14 ‘), Nusa (34’) and Haaland (42 ‘). Norway clearly dominates a challenge without history and takes a decisive step towards the World Cup, which only the first of the group arrives directly.
Norway commands the group ranking with 9 points and a goal difference of +10. Italy is zero points after the first match and in the difference in networks, a decisive criterion in case of arrival on equal points, it falls to -3. In short, the national team already sees the playoffs.
“We took the first goal that could be avoided, in the wide spaces they had a couple of individuality that put us in difficulty. Then it was more difficult. After 2-0 Norway folded up and awaited us”, Spalletti’s analysis at Rai. “The lack of players who jump the opponent makes the difference in these circumstances,” he says. When asked about the ‘project’, which also implies a reflection on your role, the CT replies: “I go on with this group herewe must improve because we cannot grant advantages as we did here “.
In Sky, the coach refers to imminent reflections: “I will do the next game against Moldova and then I will talk to the preschine Gravina because we need to talk about the intentions I have and the choices I do. On an individual level I think something more can be done. However, I still go on with this group because I think he has qualities”, says Spalletti, 23 benches with Italy with 11 victories and 6 defeats from September 2023.
In group I, in addition to Italy and Norway, there are also Estonia, Israel and Moldova.