Rome, 17 November 2025 (PA Media/dpa/MIA) - Norway stunned Italy again to complete a perfect qualifying campaign and cement their spot at the World Cup next year.

Two more goals from Erling Haaland sealed a 4-1 victory in Milan on Sunday as Norway made it eight wins from eight matches, while the Manchester City striker’s tally of 16 goals in the group stage equals the record set by Poland’s Robert Lewandowski.

The visitors went into the clash knowing only a highly improbable nine-goal swing could deny them the automatic qualification place in Group I, and they can head into their first World Cup since 1998 with confidence sky high.

Norway’s 3-0 win over Italy in June proved the end for Luciano Spalletti, and his successor Gennaro Gattuso must now prepare for the play-offs. Italy missed the last two World Cups because of the same system

Gattuso recalled his main players, with Gianluca Mancini the only survivor from the midweek win over Moldova, while Kristian Thorstvedt came in for Oscar Bobb in Norway’s only change from their victory against Estonia.

Italy were the dominant team in the first half and, after Federico Dimarco had volleyed wide, 20-year-old Francesco Pio Esposito continued his excellent start to his international career with a smart turn and finish in the 11th minute.

Esposito headed wide but clear-cut chances were few and far between for the rest of the half, while Gattuso was booked for protesting a decision by the referee.

Norway immediately looked more lively after the break and Alexander Sorloth shot just over the crossbar before the exotically coiffured Julian Ryerson fired wide.

In the 63rd minute, the visitors drew level, Sorloth playing in Antonio Nusa, who drove into the box and sent a dipping shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma at his near post.

Donnarumma then denied Nusa a second after he had been left alone at the back post before Haaland, who had been given close attention by Mancini, took centre stage.

Substitute Bobb showed quick feet in the box in the 78th minute to tee up his club team-mate for a fine finish on the volley.

And a minute later the City striker pounced again, this time in the right place to tap in a right-wing cross from Thorstvedt.

Matteo Politano sent a shot just wide at the other end but Italy were well beaten and the gloss was applied to the scoreline in stoppage time when substitute Jorgen Strand Larsson of Wolves was played in down the right and beat Mancini before curling a shot beyond Donnarumma.

Photo: EPA