The first half is over. Italy leads 1-0. So far, they have kept trying but have not increased their lead, although they have come close. Norway has been unable to respond and is struggling in the match. We will see if this changes in the second half.
Di Marco came close to scoring a great goal, which would have been Italy’s second. Italy keeps trying, now it was Esposito, but Ajer made a great save. We’ll see if Italy, who are not giving up, can score their second goal.
The Italian team is starting to look reckless. Up to this point, they want to increase their lead but are no longer creating any real danger. The rain is starting to have an impact at San Siro. We’ll see if anything happens in the last ten minutes of the first half.
Italy has control of the ball from the back, looking to play down the wings, and the few chances they are creating are coming from the flanks but without any real clarity. Norway is unable to create any dangerous moves and is struggling in the game, failing to get close to the box.
The pace of the game is very slow, with neither team daring to attempt any real dangerous attacks so far. Italy had possession until now but lost it after failing to make any progress, while Norway is looking to break out from the back.
Italy’s defense is dominating the game. They want to move forward with controlled possession and continue creating plays on the wings, but Norway’s order starts with their forwards and they remain tight.
The home team continues to press forward, looking to increase their lead as they know how important the result is. Norway has not created much danger so far, defending well but struggling to move the ball forward when they have possession.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAL for Italy!
Esposito arrives, and the home team takes the lead. The scoring opens, the first goal arrives at San Siro, a great team play capitalizing on a mistake by Norway’s defense, and the Italian striker finishes perfectly under the goalkeeper’s legs.
Italy came close. They created a great chance down the right wing where Politano got in, sent in a cross that Di Marco got on the end of, but his right-footed shot went just wide. Under heavy rain in Milan, the home side are pushing forward.
Both teams started strongly, with Norway getting off to a better start and creating the first chance of the game, but the defense held firm. Italy responded well through Retegui, but the move came to nothing.
Spanish referee Alejandro Hernández blows his whistle and the ball is rolling at San Siro. VAVEL brings you this great match. Let’s see who gets off to the best start. Group I is decided, and both teams are going all out for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
Both teams are now taking to the field. San Siro erupts with noise and excitement. Italy receives a monumental ovation, while Norway also hears the recognition of its traveling fans. It’s going to be a great game. The national anthems are now being sung.
So far, four teams have officially qualified through UEFA: France, Croatia, England, and Portugal have already secured their places. More teams could join them between today, tomorrow, and Tuesday, when the final results will be known. In addition to Ireland knocking Hungary out of the playoffs, we will see in this match whether Norway joins the list of qualifiers.
Erling Haaland is currently the top scorer in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and everything points to him staying that way. He has scored 14 goals in the seven games he has played and has a huge lead over his closest rivals, with Depay in second place with eight goals.
Unless a miracle happens this afternoon, Italy will once again play in the playoffs to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. In this match, they will have to win by 9 goals or more to knock Norway out of the running and secure first place.
The Norwegian national team is 90 minutes away from returning to the World Cup, this time led by Erling Haaland. They have not played in a World Cup since France 1998, when they reached the round of 16 and lost to Italy. That was their best performance, equaling their achievement in 1938.
San Siro looks spectacular for this qualifying match. The home fans have turned out in force to support their team, while the visitors also have a group of supporters who are making their presence felt in the stands.
Join us this afternoon at VAVEL to watch Italy take on Norway in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, a match that promises to be intense from the start. San Siro is starting to heat up with an atmosphere that combines nervousness, anticipation, and that special touch that can only be experienced in matches where the points are crucial.
We will soon share the starting lineups from the San Siro pitch, as well as the latest reports from around the match.
The qualifying round is entering its final stages, and this match could confirm Norway’s place in the next round or cause further tension for Italy as they head into the playoffs. Here you will find every update on the match and all the details of VAVEL’s coverage.
If you want to watch the Italy vs Norway game live from the US, the television broadcast will be available on FS1, the network that holds the official rights to the European Qualifiers.
For those who prefer to watch it via streaming, the available options are fuboTV and VIX premium.
Remember that if you want to follow the match online, minute by minute, with context, statistics, and real-time analysis, VAVEL is your best option.
Italy and Norway have faced each other five times since 2004. Italy has won three games with nine goals scored, while Norway has won two games with ten goals scored. Although the Azzurra slightly dominates in victories, the scoring performance favors the Norwegians, who have historically been able to unsettle the Italians with their physical structure and direct play.
Italy’s last five games reflect inconsistency: 2 wins and 3 losses, with an average of 3.6 goals per game and 1.0 conceded. Norway, on the other hand, is in great form: 4 wins and 1 draw, with an average of 4.4 goals scored and just 0.6 conceded.
Norway arrives as the big surprise of the group. With a solid, convincing campaign and a very distinctive offensive style, the Scandinavian team has surprised Europe with outstanding results. It sits at the top of the group and would need to lose by nine goals to not qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, a scenario that is practically impossible.
Beyond the points, Norway has shown identity, something that has historically been difficult for them in European qualifiers. With the peace of mind of having the table set to go to the World Cup, the team will seek to close out the phase with tranquility.
The Italian national team arrives under pressure that has become recurrent in recent years; once again on the verge of a playoff. The team has had an uneven run in this qualifying round, alternating victories with defeats that have complicated its direct qualification. Any result other than a victory, and by a wide margin, will send the Azzurra back to the playoff, something that has already happened in the last two World Cup qualifying rounds.
Welcome to the live broadcast of the Italy vs. Norway match, corresponding to Matchday 9 of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. This is a crucial match to determine the last direct spots and the playoff within the group. The match will take place at the historic San Siro stadium at 2:45 PM ET.
My name is Gabriel García, and I will be your host for this coverage. We will bring you the pre-match analysis, group context, the situation of both teams, real-time scoring, and all the news coming out of Milan. This is one of the most decisive matches of the European qualifying round, and you can follow it here minute by minute.