Norway defeats Italy 4-1 to qualify for World Cup; Portugal secures spot with 9-1 win
Norway defeated Italy 4-1 in Milan on Sunday, securing their first World Cup qualification since 1998 and forcing Italy into the play-offs. Portugal also qualified, routing Armenia 9-1.
November 16, 2025 - 05:49 PM ET • 2 min read
Norway secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, defeating Italy 4-1 in Milan and ensuring the four-time champions must navigate the European play-offs to reach the tournament.
Playing at San Siro, Norway clinched the top spot in Group I of the European qualifiers, marking their first World Cup appearance since 1998. Italy, who have struggled in recent qualification cycles, needed an improbable nine-goal victory over Norway to secure automatic passage, having entered the match three points behind with an inferior goal difference.
Italy, coached by Gennaro Gattuso, initially took the lead in the 11th minute through Francesco Pio Esposito. However, Norway, led by coach Stale Solbakken, dominated the second half, scoring four unanswered goals. Antonio Nusa leveled the score in the 64th minute. Star striker Erling Haaland then scored twice in quick succession, netting goals in the 78th and 80th minutes to give Norway control. Larsen sealed the 4-1 victory in stoppage time (90'+3).
Following the final whistle, many fans remaining in the packed San Siro stadium, which had sold over 66,000 tickets, booed the Italian national team as they left the pitch, while Norwegian supporters celebrated their team's perfect run through the group stage.
The loss means Italy will now enter the European play-offs, scheduled for March 2026, which will determine four additional European berths for the World Cup. Since winning the tournament in 2006, Italy has failed to qualify for the two most recent World Cups and now faces the risk of missing a third consecutive tournament.
In related qualifying action, Portugal secured their place in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Portugal sealed their spot with a dominant 9-1 victory over Armenia.
The result ensures Portugal will participate in their seventh consecutive World Cup, dating back to 2002. Under coach Roberto MartÃnez, the team has achieved significant stability, recording 15 classification matches without defeat and 11 consecutive victories. MartÃnez, who took over in January 2023, has maintained a high win percentage in official matches, averaging 2.66 goals per game.
Portugal secured the classification despite playing without their maximum standard bearer, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was suspended following an expulsion against Ireland last Thursday. The Portuguese Federation has initiated a defense of Ronaldo before the UEFA Disciplinary Committee regarding the suspension, sources said.