Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma blasted his workforce’s efficiency because the Azzurri suffered a complete defeat to Norway to start their 2026 World Cup qualifying marketing campaign in dismal trend.
The PSG shot stopper, who final week gained the Champions League with the Ligue 1 facet, was between the sticks as Italy fell to a 3-0 loss in Oslo on Friday of their opening match of the qualifying marketing campaign.
First-half targets from Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland secured a memorable win for the hosts, whereas for the guests, the outcome served as a painful reminder of their latest World Cup woes.
Regardless of being topped European Champions in 2021, the Azzurri haven’t reached the finals of a World Cup in additional than decade.
Defeat in Oslo. #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/Yg72rxBljr
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 6, 2025
The final time they graced worldwide soccer’s showpiece occasion was the 2014 match in Brazil, the place they have been eradicated alongside England within the group phases.
It has turn out to be one thing of a recurring level of embarrassment for the four-time world champions, however in a gaggle additionally containing Israel, Estonia and Moldova, Italy will nonetheless be favourites to qualify for subsequent summer season’s match in america, Mexico and Canada.
However for Donnarumma, the efficiency and outcome fell far under the requirements anticipated of Luciano Spalletti’s facet.
“I’ve no phrases,” Donnarumma stated after the match. “We have to pay attention to the efficiency tonight and enhance.
“Our followers don’t deserve this. We have to study our conscience, we have to come out of those nights collectively.
“We have now to search out the power as a result of we’re Italy. These kind of matches should not acceptable, everybody has to take accountability. We have now to be extra united than ever, we want it.”
In the meantime, Norway, boasting one thing of a golden technology of expertise, proceed their cost in the direction of qualification and what could be their first World Cup finals look since 1998.
The Scandinavian nation have picked up most factors from their opening three video games, scoring three or extra targets in every match.
They journey to Estonia on Monday whereas Italy host Moldova at Mapei Stadium, the joint house of Serie B sides U.S. Sassuolo and A.C. Reggiana.