FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)---Italy VS Norway Prediction

Italy VS Norway    Livescore / H2H stats and Live Streaming
Time:17-11-2025 03:45 Monday
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Match Preview:
Assured of a top-two finish in Group I, there was little jeopardy coming into this month's final slate of fixtures, as Italy's fate was virtually confirmed with two rounds remaining.

Having seen off a brief challenge by Israel, the Azzurri have continued their recovery from losing 3-0 in Oslo on the opening matchday, which prompted former coach Luciano Spalletti to depart.

Under new boss Gennaro Gattuso - a World Cup winner in 2006 - Italy have scored freely across six subsequent victories, although they left it late to beat Moldova 2-0 on Thursday.

Gattuso's side fought hard to find a goal in Chisinau, racking up multiple attempts without any luck, before late headers from Gianluca Mancini and Francesco Pio Esposito spared their blushes.

While the Italians have failed to reach successive World Cups due to faltering along that back-door route, Norway's wait for qualification stretches back almost three decades.  

That is set to formally end on Sunday, as the top scorers in European qualifying - with 33 goals, including 14 for Erling Haaland - are basically bound for North America.

Barring a total meltdown in Milan, a first World Cup finals since 1998 awaits, thanks to their ruthless dismissal of every Group I opponent.

Having kicked off with that stunning 3-0 defeat of the Azzurri in June, Norway have accrued a maximum 21 points so far, and they just need to score once more to record the best UEFA qualifying goal tally this century.

Match Prediction:
Since Gattuso's arrival, Italy have been hitting the net regularly - but not quite at Norway's incredible pace. With the pressure off, both sides can play out an open final fixture, as Norwegian fans celebrate their return to the global stage.