Norway sealed their long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup with a commanding 4–1 victory over Italy at a rain-soaked San Siro on Sunday, their first qualification since 1998. Erling Haaland once again delivered on the biggest stage, scoring a rapid-fire brace that confirmed Norway’s perfect run through Group I and ended Italy’s hopes of automatic qualification.

Needing a nine-goal defeat to miss out, Norway calmly finished the job in style, completing the group with a flawless 24 points from eight matches. Haaland, who was still a toddler when Norway last appeared at the World Cup, continued his extraordinary scoring streak with two goals in the 78th and 79th minutes, taking his tally to a remarkable 16 in the qualifiers.

Italy had briefly raised hopes when Pio Esposito struck in the 11th minute, but Antonio Nusa restored parity for Norway in the 63rd with a fierce effort that shifted momentum entirely in favour of Ståle Solbakken’s side. Haaland’s quick-fire brace then broke Italian resistance, and Jørgen Strand Larsen completed the rout in stoppage time with a superb solo goal.

For Italy, the defeat was another bitter reminder of their recent World Cup troubles. The Azzurri, who now drop into the March play-offs, finished six points behind Norway and left the pitch to jeers from the few home fans who remained. Their campaign was undermined from the outset by a 3–0 loss to Norway in the opening match, a result that cost Luciano Spalletti his job before Gennaro Gattuso took charge.

Despite improvements under Gattuso, Italy once again found itself lacking the cutting-edge star power embodied by Haaland. The two-time world champions have failed to qualify for the last two tournaments, undone by shocking play-off defeats to Sweden in 2017 and North Macedonia in 2022, and now face another nerve-wracking route to reach the 2026 finals.

For Norway, meanwhile, their return to the global stage marks the beginning of a new era, one powered by one of the most prolific strikers of his generation.