Haaland drives Norway to World Cup qualification with stunning performance in Italy
Erling Haaland had to be physically restrained by Gianluigi Donnarumma after a heated clash with Italy defender Gianluca Mancini, only to then humiliate his Manchester City teammate with two goals in the space of a minute as Norway stormed to a stunning 4–1 win at the San Siro, reports BritPanorama.
The 25-year-old striker delivered a ruthless second-half performance to propel Norway into their first World Cup since 1998, sealing a perfect qualifying campaign and confirming their position at next summer’s finals in North America.
Norway arrived in Milan knowing that only a nine-goal defeat could deny them a place at the tournament, but they secured their passage in style after initially falling behind. Italy struck first, raising hopes of a much-needed victory among the home fans.
However, as the match progressed, Norway settled and quickly changed the game’s trajectory. Haaland, Antonio Nusa, and Jorgen Strand Larsen each found the net to overturn Italy’s early lead, leaving the hosts’ World Cup hopes precariously hanging by a thread.
The first half had been tense, with Donnarumma and Italy’s defence repeatedly denying Norway’s persistent attacks. The growing frustration of the players culminated shortly before the break, when Haaland and Mancini were embroiled in a fiery confrontation that required Donnarumma to step in and physically separate them.
Returning for the second half with renewed determination, Haaland struck twice in rapid succession, the first an explosive finish into the roof of the net after racing onto an Oscar Bobb pass. Less than a minute later, a composed close-range effort left Donnarumma helpless, stunning the home support.
These two goals brought Haaland’s qualifying tally to an impressive 16 in just eight matches, making him the leading scorer across all confederations in this World Cup cycle. The Norwegian fans erupted in celebration, marking the end of their long absence from the World Cup stage.
Italy, who required an almost impossible scoreline to usurp Norway, faced humiliation following a second-half collapse. Their frustration deepened when Wolves forward Strand Larsen added a fourth for Norway in stoppage time, inviting loud jeers from the home crowd.
Qualification is a significant milestone for Haaland, who now follows in the footsteps of his father, Alf Inge Haaland, who represented Norway at the 1994 World Cup. Having expressed his desire to lead Norway onto the world stage, this dream has finally been realised.
For Italy, the defeat means they must navigate a playoff to reach their first World Cup since 2014, a stark reminder of their recent struggles. Their fans watched in disbelief as another qualifying campaign unraveled, with all eyes now on whether they can salvage their hopes in the coming months.
As for Haaland, his dominance continues to rise. Where once he was restrained, he emerged unstoppable, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most formidable forwards in global football.
