Italy brushed aside by Norway in World Cup qualifier

PA Media/DPA
London
Italy made a terrible start to their World Cup qualification campaign after being brushed aside 3-0 by Erling Haaland's Norway.
All three goals arrived in the first half, with Alexander Sorloth putting Norway ahead inside the first quarter of an hour before Antonio Nusa doubled their lead after 34 minutes.
Two Premier League players combined in the 42nd minute as Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard teed up Manchester City talisman Haaland to score in the pouring rain in Oslo.
Italy have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups and this was a major setback for the four-time champions at the outset of their campaign to reach the 2026 edition in North America.
Norway made it three wins from three to remain top of Group I, with Israel second after coming from behind to see off Estonia 3-1 thanks to two goals from Dan Biton and Mohammad Abu Fani's penalty.
Substitutes Franjo Ivanovic and Andrej Kramaric each scored twice as Croatia claimed a thumping 7-0 win in Gibraltar in Group L.
Mario Pasalic and Ante Budimir struck in the first half before the visitors ran riot in the second half thanks to a brace each from Ivanovic and Kramaric, with Ivan Perisic also on the scoresheet.
Luka Modric made a national record-extending 187th appearance from the bench, with the 39-year-old introduced in the 64th minute as Croatia started their campaign in ideal fashion.
Czech Republic sit top of the group after goals from Adam Hlozek and Patrik Schick helped them to a 2-0 win over Montenegro.
In Group J, Ezgjan Alioski's late strike earned North Macedonia a surprise 1-1 draw at home to Belgium, who had gone ahead through Maxim De Cuyper.

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