Italy’s quest to return to the World Cup stage has stumbled before it could truly begin. In a disheartening display at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadium, the Azzurri were overrun by a spirited Norway side, who surged to a 3-0 first-half lead and never looked back. This result has reignited deep fears across the Italian football landscape that the national team could miss out on a third consecutive World Cup. As frustration mounts and past ghosts resurface, the latest defeat leaves Italy staring down a troublingly familiar road—one paved with inconsistency, underachievement, and potential heartbreak.

Norway Blows Italy Away in Opening 45 Minutes

Three First-Half Goals Seal the Match for Hosts
Italy entered the match in Oslo needing a strong start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, especially after their absence in the March fixtures due to the Nations League. Instead, they were met with an avalanche of Norwegian energy and execution. Within 45 minutes, the home side raced to a commanding 3-0 lead, capitalizing on Italy’s disorganized defense and sluggish midfield.

While Italy had shown resilience in the past—most notably in their spirited second-half comeback against Germany in the Nations League earlier this year—there was no such response on Friday night. The second half at Ullevaal Stadium remained goalless, and with that, Italy’s fate was sealed before the final whistle.

Italian Press Reacts with Fury and Despair

“Enough!” Declares Gazzetta dello Sport
Saturday morning's headlines across Italian media captured the national mood with brutal honesty. The Gazzetta dello Sport, one of the country’s leading sports publications, plastered the word “Enough!” across its front page. It was a direct cry of exasperation aimed at a team that now finds itself winless in four consecutive matches, including three losses.

The newspaper didn’t mince words, warning that the “World Cup is already at risk”—a stinging reminder of how tight Group I qualification has become, especially with only the top team advancing automatically.

La Repubblica: “The Playoff Nightmare Returns”

Italy Must Now Fight for Every Point
If there was any room left for optimism, it was quickly dashed by La Repubblica’s front-page analysis. Their headline—“Azzurri humiliated in Oslo, the playoff nightmare returns”—evoked chilling memories of Italy’s last two failed World Cup bids.

In both 2018 and 2022, Italy was forced into the playoffs, only to suffer shocking eliminations at the hands of Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively. Now, unless they can overhaul the current standings, another dreaded playoff scenario may lie ahead.

The Decline Since 2006: From Global Glory to Repeated Heartache

World Cup Woes Continue to Haunt Italy
Italy’s latest setback is another chapter in what has been a long and painful decline from their last great international triumph in Berlin 2006. That memorable final—etched in history for Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt and Italy’s penalty shootout win over France—seems like a relic from a different footballing age.

Since then, the Azzurri have failed to make it out of the group stage in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and have missed the last two editions entirely. Their Euro 2020 title win offered a temporary reprieve, but it has since been bookended by catastrophic qualification failures.

Club and Country Both Suffer Setbacks

Inter Milan’s Collapse Mirrors National Team’s Struggles
Adding to Italy’s footballing malaise is the recent Champions League final drubbing suffered by Inter Milan, who were thrashed 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain. That result, less than a week before the Norway defeat, underscores a broader issue within Italian football—a recurring inability to match the physicality, creativity, and tactical sharpness of more dynamic European sides.

In both cases—club and country—Italian teams appeared tired, uninspired, and technically outclassed. For a footballing nation with such a storied past, the current lack of competitive edge is cause for concern.

What's Next: A Long Road to Redemption

Italy Must Rebuild Quickly and Decisively
With the World Cup scheduled for next year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the pressure on Italy is immense. Failing to qualify for a third straight time would not only damage the team’s legacy but could also hamper development pathways for emerging talents.

The road ahead requires more than tactical adjustments. It demands a reassessment of player development, strategic vision, and managerial leadership. While the Euro 2020 triumph hinted at a resurgence, recent performances suggest that foundational cracks remain unresolved.

Italy now faces the daunting task of chasing the group leader in a qualification format that offers no room for error. Every match will be a must-win, every point essential, and every decision scrutinized by a nation desperate to see its team return to the grandest stage in football.

Time Is Running Out for the Azzurri

What was supposed to be the dawn of a fresh qualifying campaign has quickly become a crisis moment for Italy. From humiliating playoff exits to early World Cup group stage failures, the national team has spent the better part of two decades searching for consistent form and identity. The loss in Oslo is not just a statistical blemish—it’s a symbolic reminder that unless something changes quickly, Italy could once again watch a World Cup unfold from afar.