Manchester City striker, Erling haaland was the hero for Norway as they sealed 2026 World Cup qualification, Softfootball reports.
Norway hammered Italy 4-1 at the Sansiro in an emphatic fashion. Haaland who had earlier reached 30 goals in 2025 with his brace against Estonia was at the forefront of the magnificent win over the Azzurri at the famous Sansiro.
Norway celebrated the win with their fans via their official X handle. The post read:
TICKET. SECURED. 🎟️
An incredible qualifying run has finally come to an end with a simple 4-1 victory against Italy, which sees Norway at a World Cup for the first time since 1998! 🥹
Now let’s get this party started. 🎉🕺🏻
HEIA NORGE 🤩🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/2iHgo0S1wd
— Football Norway (@NorwayFooty) November 16, 2025Italy were chasing the impossible as they needed to win by at least 9-0 to qualify for the World Cup ahead of Norway and Pio Esposito gave them a glimmer of hope when he scored after 11 minutes. He connected a pass by Federico Dimarco, and finished with aplomb.
Recall, Softfootball preview had predicted that Norway was going to beat Italy 2-1. Although, it wasn’t the exact result but it was a win as predicted for Norway and that victory was started by a second half demolition as Antonio Nusa leveled scores at 1-1.
Manchester City hitman, Haaland made sure the game was out of the reach of Italy with a brace that came in the 78th and 79th minute before Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen wrapped it with a goal in 90minute.
Haaland will now follow in the footsteps of his father, Alf Inge, who represented Norway at their last World Cup appearance in 1998 hosted by France. This time the World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
