Norway 3–0 Italy Player Ratings: Haaland, Sorloth, and Nusa Star in Norway’s Dominant Win Against the Azzurri’s

The matchweek 3 of the Group I fixtures of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier fixtures took us to the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, where reigning table toppers Norway took on four-time world champions, Italy.

The game began with utmost excitement as the home teams were present in large numbers to cheer for the Norwegian outfit. Much to everyone's surprise, the host took an early lead in the game. Alexander Sorloth broke the deadlock in just 14 minutes after an assist from Nusa. Norway led Italy 1-0 in 14 minutes.

Morten Thorsby showed some real class and vigor to make that brilliant assist to Nusa's goal. Nusa grabbed the opportunity to start the match with both hands and helped the home side take a two-goal advantage in the first half. A 34th-minute strike from Nusa saw Norway leading Italy 2-0. When it seemed Norway were done thrashing Italy in the first half, Haaland and Odegaard paired up to add salt to Italy's wounds as they combined beautifully to score the third goal for Norway.

Haaland's goal in the 42nd minute saw the home team comfortably take a 3-0 lead before going into a break after the first 45 minutes. The first half entirely belonged to Norway, as the team not only dominated the game throughout, but also hardly left anything for Italy to capitalise on and nullified every possibility of a potential comeback. The match commenced with Norway thrashing Italy 3-0 after the end of 90 minutes. Here are the Norway National Fooball Team vs Italy National Football Team Ratings.

Norway National Football Team Player Ratings vs Italy

GK - Orjan Nyland - 6.5/10

The 27-year-old custodian plies his trade with Athletic Bilbao. It was never easy to keep a clean sheet against a strong opponent like Italy, but Nyland was brilliant tonight to help his side clinch all three points in a vital game.

RB - Julian Ryerson - 7.0/10

Dortmund's right back ensured that Udogie doesn't do much from the opposition half to exploit the right flank. He also led those attacking runs from the right part of the pitch

CB - Kristoffer Ajer - 6.5/10

The Raelingen-born defender was rock solid tonight to avoid the ball from crossing the lines. His no-nonsense defending, coupled with his ability to marshal the team, makes him a proper defender.

CB - Torbjorn Heggem - 6.5/10

The 26-year-old Norwegian prodigy from West Bromwich ensured that they created an impregnable barrier for the Italian strikers.

LB - David Wolfe - 7.5/10

Wolfe not only ensured that Davide Zappacosta was under controk but also made those brilliant runs from the flanks to help his side secure an important victory against Italy.

CM - Sander Berge - 7.5/10

Fulham's defensive midfielder also offered stability in the midfield for the home side. He not only offered defensive stability but was also keen to help his side in the forward runs.

CM - Martin Odegaard - 8.5/10

The captain of the Norway national football team never fails to impress. When Italy looked strong in the midfield battles tonight, Odegaard stepped up to help his side dominate the game from the centre of the park and also provided a crucial assist for Haaland's goal.

CM - Morten Thorsby - 7.5/10

Genoa's midfield maestro provided a crucial assist to set up Antonio Nusa for the second goal. He was a creative engine in the midfield for Norway tonight.

CF - Alexander Sorloth - 8.5/10

Sorloth had a brilliant season with Atletico Madrid. When it came to the national team, Sorloth did not disappoint, and he scored the first goal of the game against the four-time World champions.

CF - Erling Haaland - 8.0/10

The goal machine of the Norway national football team and Manchester City did manage to find his name in the scoresheet once again tonight after a brilliant combination play with Odegaard.

LW - Antonio Nusa - 9.0/10

The 20-year-old Norwegian winger looked agile from the first minute. He provided a much-needed assist to break the deadlock and help the home team take an early lead in the game, and also scored a goal himself. He was unarguably one of the best players of the match.

SUB - Leo Ostigard - 7.0/10

SUB - Patrick Berg - 6.5/10

SUB - Jorgen Strand - NA

SUB - Oscar Bobb - NA

SUB - Marcus Pederson - NA

Manager - Stale Solbakken - 8.0/10

The Norwegian gaffer completely outplayed the four-time World champions with his tactics. His plan to deploy three strikers upfront gave an added advantage to nullify their opposition's 3-5-1-1 formation.

Italy National Football Team Player Ratings vs Norway

GK - Gianluigi Donnarumma - 5.0/10

The captain of the Italian national team had failed to consistently keep clean sheets for his side, and this has hurt his team's ambition to make it to the World Cup badly. Conceding three goals in the first half despite a veteran custodian between the sticks was indigestible to many.

CB - Giovanni Di Lorenzo - 5.5 /10

Usually deployed as a right back, the Napoli defender was playing as a centre back in an unconventional 3-5-1-1 formation. He looked off colour and was unable to neutralise Antonio Nusa's threat from their right flank.

CB - Diego Coppola - 6.5/10

Coppola's inclusion came as a big shock for many despite Federico Gatti on the bench. The defence looked clueless as Norway continued penetrating into the Italian defence. He had a forgettable game tonight.

CB - Alessandro Bastoni - 6.5/10

It was never easy for Bastoni to get over that 5-0 UCL final defeat and the trauma of being trophyless despite a brilliant performance from Inter. He had a dull game and looked clueless throughout the match.

RM - Davide Zappacosta - 7.0/10

The experienced Italian wing-back was roped in to add experience and dynamism on the right flank. Zappacosta had a good game. He made over 40+ touches, and his passing accuracy was nothing less than a bullseye.

CM - Nicolo Barella - 7.0/10

Barella also looked to script a comeback for his side, but there was no impactful result. The Inter Milan midfielder tried to control the tempo of the game and dominate the midfield battle, but all in vain, as the Norwegians were too good tonight.

CM - Nicolo Rovella - 6.0/10

Rovella's pick was another out-of-the-box plan. But he made some crucial passes into the final third, despite them not having any impact on the scoreline, though.

CM - Sandro Tonali - 6.5/10

In a lacklustre display of football from the Italian team, Tonali performed relatively better than his compatriots. His pinpoint passes, though, did not yield any impactful results for Italy as the team lacked coordination between the midfield and the attack.

LM - Destiny Udogie - 6.5/10

Spurs' left-back was playing as a left wing-back tonight. He was not awful, unlike the other players and did try to make some meaningful runs from the left flank. He took a shot, which was off target, though.

CF - Giacomo Raspadori - 5.5/10

An awful game tonight by the new Serie A champion. He was tasked with the responsibility to help Retegui in the attack, but he himself couldn't make any positive impact on the match.

CF - Mateo Retegui - 6.5/10

The young Italian striker faced a tough time transitioning into the national team setup. He made a few touches in the opposition box but was unable to register any shots in the first 50 minutes.

SUB - Davide Frattesi - 6.0/10

SUB - Riccardo Orsolini

SUB - Lorenzo Lucca

Manager - Luciano Spalletti - 5.5/10

A complete tactical failure from Spalletti saw Italy suffer a humiliating defeat against Norway. Playing an unconventional lineup did not yield any impactful result, and there was no intent from the gaffer to make any positive changes in the second half. This defeat could badly hurt Italy's ambition for a World Cup spot.

Sports Dunia Player of the match goes to Antonio Nusa.