Erling Haaland scored and Norway humbled Italy 3-0 for the first time in 25 years in qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.
Haaland collected a through ball from playmaker Martin Odegaard and rounded goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the box for the third goal three minutes before halftime.
It was his 41st goal in his 42nd game for Norway to the delight of the spectators at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, including King Harald V of Norway.
Haaland also scored when Moldova were beaten 5-0 and Israel 4-2. Norway remained perfect in qualifying after three games in Europe Group I.
Striker Alexander Sorloth received a precise pass from Antonio Nusa then beat Donnarumma with a left foot shot. Nusa, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder, was a constant threat to the Italian defense. He left behind two defenders and doubled the advantage with a rising shot from inside the area.
Italy were missing some regulars for their first qualifying game, while others failed to impress, including Mateo Retegui, the best Serie A scorer.
Defenders Alessandro Buongiorno and Mattia Gabbia, defensive midfielder Manuel Locatelli and forward Moise Kean were all injured while key center back Francesco Acerbi, who was meant to mark Haaland, turned down his callup.
Diego Coppola played center back in the three-man defensive line used by coach Luciano Spalletti that was not able to stop Norway.
In the other Group I game, Israel won in Estonia 3-1 for a second win and second place.
The Azzurri have been under pressure from the start of qualifying after failing to reach the last two World Cups.
Winning the group is the only way to ensure direct qualification to next year’s tournament in North America. The second-placed team goes into the playoffs – the stage where Italy were eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia and ruled out of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively.
The only other time four-time World Cup champions Italy didn’t qualify was for the 1958 edition.
Italy will host Moldova on Monday when Norway will be in action at Estonia.
