Italy entered the final match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a lot of pressure. If they defeat Norway by 9 goals, they will have a ticket to the World Cup. Although they know this is an impossible task, fans still hope that the Italian team will win a consolation match.
However, that did not work. Although they took an early lead in the 11th minute thanks to a goal by Esposito, the Italian team lost 1-4. With this result, Italy is forced to participate in the play-off round to compete for a ticket to the World Cup. If they lose, they are at risk of not participating in the world's number one tournament for the third consecutive time.
After the match, coach Gattuso admitted that fragility was a concern for the Italian team, because the home team was at risk of not participating in the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
He said: "It's worrying, I would be a propagandist if I said the opposite. Now we won't see each other again for three more months, but it doesn't take long to realize that we have been taught a lesson today.
In a game like this, we can't lose 1-4, our opponents have players who can turn the tables in just five minutes. The third goal was the most uncomfortable for me, but we have to look forward.
At the moment, Italy is under too much pressure, we have not qualified for the last two World Cups and we cannot underestimate that.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma emphasized that the 1-4 loss to Norway was unacceptable. We should not have conceded the third and fourth goals in the 90+3 minute, but the big problem was that we didnt seem to play in the second half.
The first half was a completely different match, we never let them leave the home field. We had to do it for 95 minutes, not 45 minutes, that's for sure.
It was a painful defeat, but we have to hold our heads high, because it all depends on the two play-off matches in March 2026.
Meanwhile, midfielder Manuel Locatelli admitted that Italy was too " fragile" to lose to Norway 1-4 and stressed that "this is not our level, we can and must do better" in the World Cup play-off round.
