Haaland’s Norway thump Italy to qualify for first World Cup since 1998

Haaland scored the decisive brace within the area of seconds at a soaking San Siro for Norway, who accomplished Group I with an ideal 24 factors from their eight qualifying matches.

Norway would have needed to lose by 9 objectives or extra with the intention to be overtaken by Italy for the group’s solely automated place for subsequent summer time’s finals in North America.

Haaland’s father Alf-Inge was nonetheless a global participant when Norway final competed within the World Cup 27 years in the past, a match gained by Zinedine Zidane-inspired France.

And the Manchester City striker can be one of many gamers to observe in North America after smashing in 16 objectives throughout qualifying.

The 25-year-old is averaging greater than a aim a recreation for membership and nation this season and was usually ruthless when introduced along with his alternatives to each put Norway forward after which double their lead within the 78th and 79th minutes.

Pio Esposito opened the scoring for Italy within the eleventh minute, however as soon as Antonio Nusa levelled with a thumping strike within the 63rd minute, there was just one staff who seemed like successful, and Jorgen Strand Larsen’s good particular person aim accomplished the rout in stoppage time.

Italy will head to the play-offs in March after ending the group six factors behind Norway following two bracing defeats to Stale Solbakken’s staff, and exited the San Siro subject to a hail of whistles from the few house followers who had stayed till the tip.

Italy’s bid for direct qualification was compromised from their opening match towards Norway, a 3-0 defeat which ended Luciano Spalletti’s reign as coach.

Since Gennaro Gattuso took over, the Azzurri have carried out higher however there may be no-one of their staff of the category of Haaland, a disgrace for a rustic which has produced a number of the recreation’s best-ever gamers.

Italy did not qualify for the final two World Cups because of humiliating defeats within the play-offs to Sweden and North Macedonia, the latter coming lower than a 12 months after being topped European champions in 2021.

td/bc

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