Odegaard, Haaland Star As Norway Thrashes Italy 3-0 In 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

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Last Updated:June 07, 2025, 09:09 IST

Italy suffered a 3-0 defeat to Norway in their 2026 World Cup qualifying opener. Belgium drew 1-1 with North Macedonia.

Italy suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Norway as the four-time champions began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign disastrously on 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 amid pouring rain in Oslo, making 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 now trail Norway, the Group I leaders, who have a maximum of nine points after wins over Moldova and Israel in March, when the Azzurri were still involved in the UEFA Nations League.

Israel sits second with six points after a 3-1 win over Estonia in Tallinn, where Norway will head for their next game on Monday. Italy will return home to face Moldova in Reggio Emilia in their second match.

Belgium began their qualifying campaign in Group J with a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia.

Maxim De Cuyper gave Belgium the lead after Romelu Lukaku’s shot was blocked, but former Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski volleyed in the equalizer with four minutes remaining in Skopje.

North Macedonia remains unbeaten through three matches but trails Wales, who lead with seven points after a 3-0 home win over Liechtenstein.

Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson, and Kieffer Moore scored in Cardiff to keep Wales unbeaten since the appointment of Craig Bellamy last year, whose side will head to Brussels next week.

“We could have made it a lot more (goals), and we’d like to make it a lot more," Bellamy told BBC Wales.

“I’m looking forward to Monday (against Belgium)."

Croatia thrashed 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 in the Algarve.

The Czech Republic leads the section with three wins from three after a 2-0 victory at home against Montenegro. Adam Hlozek and Patrik Schick scored for the hosts.

The 12 group winners automatically qualify for next year’s expanded 48-team tournament, while the runners-up enter the play-offs, which will decide the final four qualifiers from Europe.

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