Erling Haaland scored two goals in as many minutes as Norway cemented their return to a World Cup for the first time in 28 years in style with victory over Italy.
The Norwegians beat Estonia on Thursday to all-but secure their place at next year’s tournament, with Italy needing to win by a nine-goal margin to pinch first place.
Pio Esposito gave them a glimmer of hope of achieving the seemingly impossible when he struck after 11 minutes, firing in after being picked out by Federico Dimarco, and they dominated after that but could not find another goal before the break.
The second half belonged to Norway and Haaland.
Antonio Nusa hammered home an excellent strike to level matters before Haaland volleyed in superbly from Manchester City team-mate Oscar Bobb’s cross.
The striker, who had been quiet up until scoring, then swiftly got his second to make it an incredible 16 goals scored in eight qualifying matches for Norway.
Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen wrapped up a dream win when he slotted home in stoppage time.
Norway’s qualification means Haaland will follow in the footsteps of his father, Alf Inge, who played for his country at their last World Cup appearance in 1998.
Italy, meanwhile, will enter the lottery of play-offs, which have been a source of recent heartbreak and embarrassment.
They lost 1-0 on aggregate to Sweden to miss out on the 2018 World Cup, then four years later suffered one of their most humiliating defeats, beaten 1-0 at home by North Macedonia to end their hopes of qualifying for the 2022 tournament.
Source: BBC
