Norway surged to the top of their World Cup qualifying group with a stunning 3-0 victory over Italy in Oslo on Friday, with Erling Haaland declaring the team “too good” to miss another major tournament.
The result marks a seismic moment for Norwegian football, who haven’t reached a World Cup or European Championship in 25 years.
But with three wins from three in Group I, Ståle Solbakken’s side are brimming with belief.
Haaland, who was kept off the scoresheet but played a key role in stretching Italy’s defence, didn’t hide his ambitions after the match.
“I need to play at a World Cup,” he told NRK. “We are too good not to be there. Not to put pressure on myself, but I have to.”
It was 20-year-old Antonio Nusa who stole the show. The Club Brugge winger set up Alexander Sørloth’s opener before scoring the second himself in a thrilling first half that saw Norway dismantle their more illustrious visitors.
“I don’t even know what to say,” said a beaming Nusa. “It was an unbelievable night. Totally unbelievable. Playing at Ullevaal like this – I love it.”
Sørloth echoed the sentiment after a performance that stunned the Azzurri.
“We’ve known we had this level,” said the Atlético Madrid striker. “But it’s been so hard to show it. So to finally do it, and against a team like Italy – it’s just fantastic.”
Norway went into half-time with a three-goal lead after a dominant opening 45 minutes and never looked back. With Moldova, Estonia, and Israel still to play, qualification is now firmly in their own hands.
Next up is Estonia away on Monday, where another win could push Solbakken’s men even closer to ending decades of frustration.
