Italy’s path to the World Cup has become far more complicated after a bruising 4–1 defeat to Norway in Milan. Powered once again by Erling Haaland, the visitors repeated the victory they celebrated in Oslo on 6 June, clinching their qualification in front of 5,000 travelling fans and snapping Italy’s run of six consecutive wins.

The Azzurri had started brightly, taking the lead through Pio Esposito and controlling much of the first half. But after the break the match turned sharply. Antonio Nusa sparked the Norwegian comeback, and Haaland - who had already punished Italy in the reverse fixture five months earlier - added to the damage as the hosts unravelled.

The loss means Italy will have to earn their ticket to next summer’s World Cup through the playoffs, a scenario that had become increasingly likely in recent months.

It was also the first setback for Gennaro Gattuso as national-team coach. Addressing the 70,000 supporters who packed San Siro, he did not hide his disappointment: “The scoreline is heavy. We played an excellent first half, but after their first shot we seemed to lose confidence, and that cannot happen. We have to apologise to our fans and give credit to Norway.”