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 received the Champions League with the Ligue 1 facet, 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 targets from Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland secured a memorable win for the hosts, whereas for the guests, the end result served as a painful reminder of their current 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 match in Brazil, the place they had been eradicated alongside England within the group phases.
It has turn into one thing of a recurring level of embarrassment for the four-time world champions, however in a gaggle additionally containing Israel, Estonia and Moldova, Italy will nonetheless be favourites to qualify for subsequent summer time’s match in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
However for Donnarumma, the efficiency and end result fell far under the requirements anticipated of Luciano Spalletti’s facet.
“I’ve no phrases,” Donnarumma mentioned after the match. “We have to be aware of 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 power as a result of we’re Italy. A majority of these matches are usually 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 technology 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 targets 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.
