The Norwegian football team became the 32nd participant of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
The Norwegians are in the meeting of the last round of Group I at San Siro in Milan beat Italy 4-1 finishing the competition in the group with a maximum of 24 points.
Before the last round Norway had three points more than Italy and a far better hit differential. The Azzurri needed a win by as many as nine goals to take over the top of the table. Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso was aware that it was an impossible mission, but he wanted any victory to make history as the first Italian coach to win six of his first six games in charge.
However, Italy not only did not celebrate, but experienced a difficult one1-4 loss. The home team took the lead in the 11th minute with a goal by Francesco Pio Esposito. Antonio Nus equalized in the 63rd minute, then Erling Haaland scored two goals in a space of only two minutes (78, 79), and Jorgen Strand Larsen (93) completed the Norwegian celebration.
In the second meeting from this group Israel defeated with an identical result Moldova.
In the 18th minute, the visitors were down a player after Sergiu Perciun missed a penalty kick and earned a red card. Dor Turgeman was safe from the penalty spot. In the 24th minute, Israel came close to a second goal, but Dan Beaton hit the crossbar. In the 37th minute, Moldova equalized with a player less, and the goal was scored by Ion Nicolaescu.
In the second half, the Israelis scored three goals, and the scorers were Roy Revivo (65, 88) and Eliel Peretz (85).
Norway won the first place in the group with 24 points, Italy has 18, Israel 12, Estonia collected four and Moldova one point.
The Norwegians have participated in the world championships three times so far, the last time in 1998 in France.
(Hina | Photo: X)
