The whole of Norway (read: those who care about football) sulked after the first half at the San Siro. The World Cup ticket was not in danger, but this was not the team we had followed throughout the World Cup qualifiers. The atmosphere was high in the stands, the Italians at least smelled a real revenge against the mini-putt Norway. Then, 63 minutes into the game on a 1-0 lead to Italy, the humiliation started. So big, in fact, that the world’s best goalkeeper had to go out and apologize.
63 mins: Nusa – taste!, Haaland: taste, taste!. Then Jørgen Strand Nielsen to 1-4 in overtime. Norway gave Italy one of the biggest humiliations ever at home, for the nation that lifted the European Championship trophy in 2020.
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Okay, the Italian team realized after the first half they didn’t want to score eight more goals on this Norwegian team, but total surrender and collapse in the last thirty minutes should not happen.
After the game, captain Gianluigi Donnarumma (and Haaland buddy) stood right in front of the microphone and sent an apology to the whole of Italy.
-I am sad and disappointed, and I am sure that they are too. We apologize to the fans, because there were so many tonight who showed their passion,” Donnarumma told Sky Sports.
Which at the same time sends a prayer to football-mad Italians.
“All I can say is that we need them in March,” says the world’s best goalkeeper.
Italy’s dream of a World Cup ticket will now be decided in March with a play-off. Barely a win against Moldova, then another humiliation against Norway, this time at the San Siro. We predict Gennaro Gattuso, Donnarumma and the Italian players will work hard to build up enthusiasm towards March.
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