#italy-national-team

#italy-national-team

Group I is flirting with a thrilling conclusion in Milan on Sunday afternoon but both Italy and Norway have obstacles to pass before they meet at San Siro. Norway are flying. They haven't dropped a point, have scored 29 goals in six games, and have conceded only three. Yet the Azzurri are technically still in touch with the highly unlikely possibility of automatic qualification.

Italy kept alive their faint hopes of qualifying automatically for the 2026 World Cup as they beat Israel 3-0 despite an underwhelming display in Udine. In front of a paltry crowd of around 9,000 in Udinese's 25,000-capacity Stadio Friuli, Gennaro Gattuso's team found the victory they needed but not a performance to inspire confidence ahead their meeting with group leaders Norway in November. Mateo Retegui scored a brace, the first a penalty in added time at the end of the first half before finally settling his team's nerves with a lovely curling finish in the 74th minute.

Haaland doubled Norway's lead with a right-footed finish after Anan Khalaili's own goal had given the hosts the lead. Another own goal, this time from Idan Nachmias, made it 3-0 as Peretz's clearance rebounded off the defender and into the net. Haaland then made history with a pair of headers to complete his hat-trick, the Manchester City striker reaching 51 goals in 46 appearances for his country.

A coach must be able to do it all, I have to set my ego aside and do what is best for the team,