The Manchester CIty star was in fine form again as Norway celebrated their World Cup qualification in style
Italy’s hopes of snatching top spot in Group I ended in misery after Norway produced a stunning second-half turnaround to win 4-1 at San Siro and seal their place at next year’s World Cup.
The Azzurri dominated the opening period and took a deserved lead after 11 minutes. Federico Dimarco combined with Mateo Retegui before sliding a low pass into Francesco Pio Esposito, who turned sharply and fired past Orjan Nyland.
Italy continued to push, creating several openings through Dimarco’s deliveries and Politano’s crosses, but a second goal eluded them.
Norway, subdued and struggling to involve Erling Haaland or Alexander Sørloth, entered half-time fortunate to trail by only one.
Whatever Stale Solbakken said at the break transformed his side. Norway came out aggressive, with Sorloth twice going close.
The pressure finally told in the 63rd minute when Sorloth released Antonio Nusa down the left. After a clever step-over from Berge allowed the ball to run through, Nusa shifted inside and drove a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma for 1-1.
Italy never recovered their control, and Haaland suddenly came alive. First, in the 78th minute, he volleyed in Oscar Bobb’s cross to give Norway the lead.
Three minutes later, Thorsby threaded a pass through the Italian defence, and Haaland applied a deft flicked finish for his record-equalling 16th goal in World Cup qualifying.
The visitors, now rampant, added a fourth in stoppage time. Morten Thorsby launched a counter, sending Jørgen Strand Larsen racing clear, and the substitute coolly slotted into the bottom corner to complete a remarkable turnaround.
