Unstoppable Haaland at the double as Norway thrash Italy | OneFootball

Norway’s 28-year absence at the World Cup is over, thanks largely to the brilliance of Erling Haaland.

The Norwegians were all-but mathematically guaranteed of qualification, with only an Italy win of nine goals able to prevent the inevitable.

But Haaland and his team-mates wanted to make a statement in Milan in the final group clash – and they did just that.

The Azzurri made a strong start, with Pio Esposito scoring on 11 minutes.

And it was a lead Italy held until just past the hour when Antonio Nusa fired past Gianluigi Donnarumma to make it  1-1.

But the best was yet to come.

Haaland, in sensational form for City and Norway, levelled on 78 minutes as he latched on to a superb pass from second-half sub Oscar Bobb before lashing the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-1.

And our irrepressible No.9 made it two in two minutes with a close range finish to end the game as a contest and put Norway 3-1 up - his 32nd goal of a remarkable campaign to date.

Haaland was substituted a minute from the end of normal time, replaced by Jorgen Strand Larsen – and the Wolves striker rubbed salt in the Italian wounds with a smart finish in added time that gave Donnarumma no chance to make it 4-1.

Italy can still make the World Cup via the play-offs, while the Norwegians will head the finals believing they can achieve great things.