Erling Haaland scores brace as Norway return to the World Cup after 27 years

Italy lost 4-1 to Norway in the FIFA World Cup qualifying at San Siro on Sunday evening.

Italy needed to score at least nine unanswered goals to secure automatic qualification, but after a strong first half, the visitors gained foothold of the clash.

Federico Dimarco almost gave the hosts the lead when the ball broke free to him inside the penalty area, but he could only blaze his effort wide.

The Inter Milan defender assisted the opener, feeding club team-mate Francesco Pio Esposito, who beat his marker before guiding the ball into the net.

Antonio Nusa blazed the ball over just after the half-hour mark in what was a rare chance for Norway in the first half.

Dimarco and Esposito nearly combined for another goal when the former swinged a cross into the area but this time the latter failed to find the back of the net.

The visitors applied the pressure early in the second half, with Alexander Sorloth failing to hit the target from the edge of the box.

Nusa drew Norway level with a cracking shot from inside the penalty area after the hour mark, with the outstretched Gianluigi Donnarumma unable to keep out his effort.

Musa almost gave Norway the lead, but Donnarumma produced a brilliant save to keep the scoreline level.

The Manchester City goalkeeper was eventually beaten by club team-mate Erling Haaland, who put Norway ahead with a superb volley.

Two minutes later, Haaland gave the visitors a two-goal cushion with a clinical finish from inside the box and Jorgen Strand Larsen sealed the victory in stoppage time.

Norway have now qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time in 27 years, while Italy will have to go through the play-offs to avoid a third consecutive absence.