Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma blasted his group’s efficiency because the Azzurri suffered a complete defeat to Norway to start their 2026 World Cup qualifying marketing campaign in dismal style.
The PSG shot stopper, who final week gained the Champions League with the Ligue 1 aspect, was between the sticks as Italy fell to a 3-0 loss in Oslo on Friday of their opening match of the qualifying marketing campaign.
First-half objectives from Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland secured a memorable win for the hosts, whereas for the guests, the consequence served as a painful reminder of their latest World Cup woes.
Regardless of being topped European Champions in 2021, the Azzurri haven’t reached the finals of a World Cup in additional than decade.
Defeat in Oslo. #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/Yg72rxBljr
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 6, 2025
The final time they graced worldwide soccer’s showpiece occasion was the 2014 event in Brazil, the place they have been eradicated alongside England within the group phases.
It has grow to be one thing of a recurring level of embarrassment for the four-time world champions, however in a bunch additionally containing Israel, Estonia and Moldova, Italy will nonetheless be favourites to qualify for subsequent summer season’s event in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
However for Donnarumma, the efficiency and consequence fell far beneath the requirements anticipated of Luciano Spalletti’s aspect.
“I’ve no phrases,” Donnarumma stated after the match. “We have to pay attention to the efficiency tonight and enhance.
“Our followers don’t deserve this. We have to study our conscience, we have to come out of those nights collectively.
“We now have to search out the energy as a result of we’re Italy. Most of these matches should not acceptable, everybody has to take duty. We now have to be extra united than ever, we want it.”
In the meantime, Norway, boasting one thing of a golden era of expertise, proceed their cost in the direction of qualification and what can be their first World Cup finals look since 1998.
The Scandinavian nation have picked up most factors from their opening three video games, scoring three or extra objectives in every match.
They journey to Estonia on Monday whereas Italy host Moldova at Mapei Stadium, the joint residence of Serie B sides U.S. Sassuolo and A.C. Reggiana.
