Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti was disappointed with his side’s showing as they suffered an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Norway in World Cup qualifying on Friday night.
The Azzurri, playing their opening qualifying game ahead of the 2026 World Cup, have work to do after suffering defeat at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo.
Story of the match
Both sides came into the encounter hoping to grab all three points, with only the first-placed teams assured of an automatic spot in next year’s showpiece event.
However, Alexander Sorloth opened the scoring for the hosts, shooting past UCL-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, before Antonio Nusa scored a second with a stunning strike moments later.
English Premier League’s duo of Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland combined for a third, with the latter rounding Donnarumma before slotting into an empty net, sparking wild celebrations.
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Norway sealed out the win to make it three straight wins in Group I, boosting their chances of securing qualification.
Italy on the other hand, started their campaign on a bad note and will need a massive improvement to boost their chances.
What Spalletti said
“We need a bit more enthusiasm, as individuals. We need to add something more, otherwise something has got to change,” Spalletti told reporters.
“This is not who we are, because in terms of individuals, we can do more, but you can also see this is a difficult moment. A few things did happen to us, but this is the squad I chose and will continue with,” he added.
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“There are always worries, because after a performance like that, you clearly have to ask yourself questions and realise there are problems, but you have to face them, because there is no other possibility,” the former Napoli boss continued.
Will Italy qualify for the World Cup?
The Italians have not qualified for the World Cup since 2014, narrowly missing out on the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Spalletti’s side have come under pressure due to their recent performances and must improve in all aspects to avoid missing out on a third successive tournament.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
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