Norway have taken a significant step towards securing a first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1998 with an emphatic 3–0 victory over Italy in Oslo, their third straight win in Group C.
Ståle Solbakken’s side, who had scored nine goals in their first two qualifiers, continued their blistering form in front of goal.
According to Flashscore, the breakthrough came inside the opening 15 minutes when Antonio Nusa picked up the ball deep in his own half and surged forward before threading a brilliant pass to Alexander Sørloth, who held off his marker and calmly finished past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Italy, playing in heavy rain, struggled to find rhythm or penetration. Their only attempt in the first half came from Giacomo Raspadori, who blazed over from a tight angle.
Donnarumma was called into action to deny Sørloth a second, but there was little he could do moments later when Nusa weaved through the Italian defence and rifled a shot into the roof of the net to double Norway’s lead.
The hosts weren’t done yet. On the stroke of halftime, Martin Ødegaard delivered a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Erling Haaland, who rounded Donnarumma and slotted home his 41st international goal, putting Norway 3–0 up and firmly in control.
The Azzurri, now winless in four games across all competitions, regrouped after the break and tightened defensively, not allowing another Norwegian shot until the 65th minute — when Sander Berge struck the post from distance.
However, Italy’s attack remained toothless, registering their first shot on target in stoppage time via a Lorenzo Lucca header, comfortably gathered by Ørjan Nyland.
While this was Italy’s first World Cup qualifier of the campaign, the defeat raises concerns as they risk missing a third consecutive tournament.
