Four-time world champion, Italy failed to guarantee its presence in the World Cup in the European qualifiers, this Sunday (16), and will go to the play-offs for the third time in a row, in March 2026.
To qualify directly, the Italians needed to beat Norway by a difference of nine goals or more. Italy opened the scoring, but suffered from a 4-1 comeback in the second half, in front of almost 60,000 fans at the San Siro.
Haaland scored twice for Norway, who have not competed in the World Cup since 1998, when they reached the round of 16. Previously, the Nordic team only participated in the 1994 and 1938 editions.
The Italians are already under pressure after being left out of the 2022 and 2018 World Cups.
Norway ended its participation in Group I, undefeated, with 24 points, and Italy with 18.
Only the first place in each group guarantees a place in the World Cup, and the Italians suffered the only two defeats to the Norwegians.
In Group F, Portugal thrashed Armenia 9-1, this Sunday, and confirmed their presence in the 2026 World Cup. The Portuguese ended their participation in the qualifiers with 13 points, and the Armenians ended up in last place with just three points in six games.
With Cristiano Ronaldo suspended, the Portuguese team had hat tricks from Bruno Fernandes and João Neves. Renato Veiga, Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição scored a goal each, while Spertsyan scored.
Ireland finished second in this group and will go to the play-offs, after a thrilling 3-2 victory against Hungary. In the direct confrontation for vice-leadership, the Irish counted on three goals from Parrot, the winning one coming in the 51st minute of the final stage.
With the result, Ireland ended the tournament with ten points, two more than Hungary.
