Milan ¨C Norway qualified for its first World Cup since 1998 after Erling Haaland struck again in a 4-1 thumping of Italy on Sunday which sealed a spot in next summer¡¯s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland scored the decisive brace in the space of seconds at a soaking San Siro for Norway, which completed Group I with a perfect 24 points from eight qualifying matches.

Norway would have had to lose by nine goals or more in order to be overtaken by Italy for the group¡¯s only automatic place in next summer¡¯s World Cup in North America.

Haaland¡¯s father, Alf-Inge, was still an international player when Norway last competed in the World Cup 27 years ago, a tournament won by Zinedine Zidane-inspired France.

The Manchester City striker will be one of the players to watch in North America after smashing in 16 goals during qualifying.

The 25-year-old is averaging more than a goal a game for club and country this season and was typically ruthless when presented with his opportunities to both put Norway ahead and then double its lead in the 78th and 79th minutes.

Pio Esposito opened the scoring for Italy in the 11th minute, but once Antonio Nusa leveled with a thumping strike in the 63rd minute, there was only one team that looked like it would win, and Jorgen Strand Larsen¡¯s brilliant individual goal completed the rout in stoppage time.

Italy will head to the playoffs in March after finishing the group six points behind Norway following two bracing defeats to Stale Solbakken¡¯s team, and exited the San Siro pitch to a hail of whistles from the few home fans who had stayed until the end.

Italy¡¯s bid for direct qualification was compromised from their opening match against Norway, a 3-0 defeat which ended Luciano Spalletti¡¯s reign as coach.

Since Gennaro Gattuso took over, the Azzurri have performed better, but have no one on the same level as Haaland, a shame for a country which has produced some of the game¡¯s best-ever players.

Italy failed to qualify for the last two World Cups thanks to humiliating defeats in the playoffs to Sweden and North Macedonia, the latter coming less than a year after being crowned European champion in 2021.