Italy are playing catch-up with Norway, the Group I leaders with a maximum nine points after wins over Moldova and Israel in March
Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma (left) embraces Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland after their match in Oslo on Friday. Pic/AFP
Italy crashed to a 3-0 loss away to Norway as the four-time champions made a disastrous start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign Friday, while Belgium had to settle for a draw in North Macedonia.
Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland all scored in the first half in pouring rain in Oslo as Norway made it a night to forget for Italy, who missed out on the last two World Cups.
“I have no explanation. Our supporters don’t deserve this kind of match. We need to do some soul-searching. It’s unacceptable,” Italy captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma told Rai Sport.
Italy are playing catch-up with Norway, the Group I leaders with a maximum nine points after wins over Moldova and Israel in March.
Croatia hammered Gibraltar 7-0 in their opening match in Group J. Substitutes Franjo Ivanovic and Andrej Kramaric both scored twice, with Marco Pasalic, Ante Budimir and Ivan Perisic also on target.
Belgium kicked off their qualifying bid in Group J with a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia. Maxim De Cuyper gave Belgium the lead, but Ezgjan Alioski volleyed in the equaliser with four minutes to play in Skopje.
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