Norway is heading back to the World Cup after 28 years, and the announcement of that qualification came in the most unexpected way, a 4 to 1 win over Italy in Milan and a brief provocation that turned into fuel for Haaland. Right after scoring two goals and leading the comeback, he said the reaction started when defender Gianluca Mancini did something unusual.
“When the game was tied at 1 to 1, he started touching my butt, and I thought, ‘What are you doing?’ Then I got pumped and told him, ‘Thanks a lot for the motivation,’” the forward said, laughing as he celebrated the win that sent his country back to the World Cup.
The comeback that changed the course of the qualifiers
The match began with Italy scoring in the 11th minute, as Esposito took advantage of the first clear chance and put pressure on Norway, which hadn’t played in a World Cup since 1998. The night seemed to follow the usual script, Italians in front, defensive control, and a comfortable lead until halftime. But everything flipped as soon as the second half started. Nusa tied the game, Haaland turned it around and stretched the lead, and Larsen closed the score on a night that went far beyond any expectation. The impact wasn’t just the final result, it was the way it happened, in Milan, against a strong opponent and with a steady, confident, and direct performance.
Haaland, who delivered another huge game, also tied Lewandowski as the top scorer in a single edition of the European qualifiers with 16 goals. And that number feels even more meaningful when you consider that Norway spent almost three decades without experiencing the World Cup atmosphere. The forward understood how big that moment was. “This was probably the craziest result, the fact that we came here and won 4 to 1 is absolutely crazy, and it shows we’re unpredictable. I’m proud, this is fantastic,” he said.
A result that lifts an entire generation
Norway reached an important milestone for a national team that had been searching for validation. The squad had players ready to step up, young talents emerging, and a growing sense of possibility about how far they could go. But they still needed the moment that would pull them out of the stage of promise and put them on the map. And that moment came with a convincing comeback away from home, supported by one of the most decisive forwards in world soccer.
Mancini’s provocation ended up becoming a quirky detail, but it also showed something that defines Haaland, he doesn’t need much to switch into his decisive mode. He turned everything into focus and turned that focus into an advantage. In the end, he helped Norway end a 28 year wait with a night the fans will not forget anytime soon.