The Azzurri's World Cup 2026 Qualification campaign in Group I began with defeat. Luciano Spalletti's side were defeated 3-0 by Norway, with three goals in the first half securing the win for the hosts, who currently top the group. The next match for the Azzurri is on Monday 9 June against Moldova, at Città del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia. 

Spalletti reflected on the defeat: "The first goal could've been avoided, then, their individuals made the most of the spaces that we left open, making it more difficult for use. At that point, at 2-0, they waited for us and made it difficult for us to find spaces. The absence of players that can take a one on one and beat their opponent makes the difference. There's a lot to improve on in many aspects, but we move forwards with this group, which is the best we've evaluated". Gigio Donnarumma spoke on the defeat: "I have no words. We need to take note of the performance tonight and improve: our fans don't deserve this. We need to examine our conscience, we need to come out of these nights together. We have to find the strength because we're Italy: these types of matches are not acceptable, everyone has to take responsibility. We have to be more united than ever, we need it". 

THE MATCH Spalletti started with Coppola in the middle of the back three, with Zappacosta and Udogie as wing backs and Rasapdori just behind Retegui. The Genoa player Thorsby started for the home side. The Azzurri started well but the Norwegian's took the lead in the 14th minute. Sorloth managed to get in front of the Verona defender to latch onto Nusa's through ball and slot it past Donnarumma. Italy tried to push for the equaliser through the front two of Retegui and Raspadori. The Napoli forward went close from a difficult position. The RB Leipzig player managed to score a brilliant goal following Sorloth's assist, with a great touch inside and powerful right-footed shot under the crossbar in the 34th minute. The third goal came before the break, scored by Haaland, who dribbled past Donnarumma and placed the ball into an empty net. 

SECOND HALF In the second half, Spalletti made a change as Frattesi replaced Rovella, but it was Norway who came closest to scoring. Following build up from a free kick, Berge hit the inside of the post, but it didn't go in. Italy made more changes with Orsolini, Lucca, Ricci and Dimarco all coming on. The side's first shot on target came in the 92nd minute with a header from the Udinese forward, saved by Nyland. 

NORWAY 3-0 ITALY 

NORWAY (4-4-2): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem (71' Ostigard), Moller Wolfe (75' Pedersen); Odegaard, Berge, Thorsby (46' Berg), Nusa (75' Bobb); Haaland, Sorloth (83' Strand Larsen). Unused subs: Dyngeland, Selvik, Gundersen, Aasgaard, Donnum, Schjelderup, Johnsen. Coach. Solbakken

ITALY (3-5-1-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Coppola, Bastoni; Zappacosta (71' Orsolini), Barella, Rovella (46' Frattesi), Tonali, Udogie (83' Dimarco); Raspadori (83' Ricci); Retegui (71' Lucca). Unused subs.: Meret, Carnesecchi, Gatti, Casadei, Rugani, Ranieri, Cambiaso. Coach. Spalletti 

Scorers: 14' Sorloth, 34' Nusa, 42' Haaland
Referee: Sanchez (Spain). Assistants: Cabañero and Prieto (Spain). Fourth Official: Muñiz Ruiz (Spain). VAR: Martínez Munuera (Spain). AVAR: Gomez (Spain)
Notes: Booked - Thorsby (N), Berg (N)