The visitors need only to avoid a heavy defeat to end their 28-year World Cup drought, while the Azzurri cling to the faintest of mathematical hopes.
The FIFA World Cup Qualifiers reach a dramatic conclusion this Sunday at San Siro, where Italy hosts Norway.
📈Team Form📉
🔹 Italy: Have won six consecutive qualifiers under new boss Gennaro Gattuso.
🔸 Norway: Perfect in Group I with six wins from six matches.
📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊
🔥 Norway is the top scorer in European qualifying with 33 goals.
🔥 Erling Haaland has 14 qualifying goals, two from the all-time UEFA record.
🔥 Norway won the reverse fixture 3-0 on the opening match-day.
🔥 Italy needs a nine-goal victory margin for automatic qualification.
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥
🇮🇹Italy | Form: W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢:
With automatic qualification requiring a "pure football miracle," Italy's focus is on building morale for the playoffs and avenging their earlier defeat.
Coach Gennaro Gattuso has admitted that team selection will be influenced by avoiding suspensions for key players ahead of the knockout matches.
🇳🇴Norway | Form: W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢:
Ståle Solbakken's side is on the verge of its first World Cup since 1998. They merely need to avoid a catastrophic loss at the San Siro to confirm their place mathematically.
Boasting the most potent attack in qualifying, they will be confident of getting the result they need.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥
🇮🇹Italy (possible):
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Barella, Locatelli, Cristante; Politano, Retegui, Raspadori.
🇳🇴Norway (possible):
Nyland; Ryerson, Heggem, Ajer, Bjorkan; Bobb, Berg, Berge, Nusa; Sorloth, Haaland.
🔥 Players to Watch 👀
✨ Erling Haaland — Norway's main attacking threat, within touching distance of the UEFA qualifying goals record.
✨ Mateo Retegui — With five goals and four assists in Group I, he is a key figure for Italy's attack.
✨ Alexander Sorloth — A constant danger who partners with Haaland in a formidable frontline.
✨ Nicolò Barella — Returns from suspension to bolster the Italian midfield.
💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵
💵 Italy/Home to win = 2.07
💵 Norway/Away to win = 3.55
💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.63
💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.73
This match presents a stark contrast in motivations: Italy seeks pride and playoff momentum, while Norway stands one step from a historic achievement. All eyes will be on San Siro for a compelling conclusion to Group I.
Who do you think will win? Tell us your prediction in the comments.
🔗 You can follow the Italy vs Norway World Cup Qualifier here on MSport.
#Italy #Norway #WorldCupQualifiers #Azzurri #Landslaget #Haaland #Gattuso #SanSiro
