‘Unprecedented crisis': After shock loss, Italy fear missing third straight World Cup
Italy, who have failed to qualify for the last two FIFA World Cups, are already fretting over the ignominy of missing the third after a 3-0 loss to Norway on Friday night.
First half goals from Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland were enough for Norway to inflict another defeat on Italy, who found themselves in a precarious position, in the European World Cup qualifiers.
Italy, yet to earn a point, are fourth in Group I, although they have played two games fewer than the teams above them because of their involvement in the Nations League. Norway are the table-toppers with nine points followed by Israel with six and Estonia are placed third with three points. Group winners directly qualify for the 2026 World Cup while the runners-up progress to the play-offs.
The defeat has sparked fears in Italy of the former champions completing the dubious hat-trick of missing the World Cup, having missed the 2018 and 2022 editions as well.
Leading Italian sports daily, Gazzetta Dello Sport, called the situation an 'unprecedented crisis.' 'Let's prepare for yet another torture in the playoffs, assuming we grab second place. The national team seen yesterday in Oslo was embarrassing and it is legitimate to doubt everything, to expect the worst of the worst. This is who we are, and we are poor, empty,' the newspaper noted.
Italy's under-fire coach Luciano Spalletti took responsibility for Friday's defeat and told Sky Sport Italia that it was a 'difficult moment'.
'There are always worries, because after a performance like that, you clearly have to ask yourself questions and realise there are problems, but you have to face them, because there is no other possibility,' Spalletti said.
Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma, too, was downcast, saying he had 'no explanation' for the loss.
'Our supporters don't deserve this kind of match,' Donnarumma, who won the Champions League with Paris St-Germain last Saturday, said. 'We need to do some soul-searching. It's unacceptable.'
Italy's next face Moldova, who are bottom of their group, on Monday.
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