[World Qualifiers] Expected 9-0 but lost 1-4, Italy entered the play-offs, Norway qualified

Sports Weekly All-Media Original

In the final round of Group I of the European Zone of the World Cup Qualifiers this morning, the Italian team, which needed a 9-0 win to qualify directly, was double beaten by Norway 1-4 at home. In the whole game, Italy controlled 58% of the ball, shot 15 to 13, and expected goals 1.32 to 1.62.

In this way, Norway went straight to the United States, Canada and Mexico, winning all 8 games and scoring 37 to 5 goals, and entered the World Cup for the first time since 1998. The Italian team has fallen into the play-offs for the third consecutive World Cup qualifying round and must win two decisive games in March next year to return to the World Cup after 12 years.

Italy 1 to 4 Norway

11’ Pio Esposito/63’ Noosa, 78’79’ Haaland , 90+3’ Strand Larsen

11’ Retegui made the ball, Dimarco assisted, Pio Esposito turned around and scored with a low shot, Italy 1-1.

36' Dimarco made a pass and Pio Esposito's header went slightly wide.

63' Serlott passed the ball, Sander Berg deliberately missed it, Nousa faced Politano's defense and shot from the near corner, 1-1.

75' Dimarco's volley from the back was saved.

78’ Oscar Bob passed the ball, Haaland scored in the volley, and Norway went ahead 2-1.

79' Bastoni made a mistake in passing the ball. Oscar Bob intercepted the ball and passed the ball. Thorsby broke into the penalty area and passed the ball. Harland grabbed the point and scored, Norway 3-1.

90+3’ Italy lost the ball in the frontcourt, and Norway counterattacked with a direct pass from Thorsby. Strand Larsson deflected Gianluca Mancini and scored with a low shot, making Norway 4-1.

Italian lineup (352): Donnarumma/Di Lorenzo, Gianluca Mancini, Bastoni (86' Ricci)/Politano, Frattesi (68' Cristante), Locatelli (79' Scamarca), Barrera (86' Buongiorno), Dimarco/Retegui, Pio Esposito (79' Zacani)