Haaland messes up the goal, this is the fate of Italy’s journey to the 2026 World Cup

Gilabola.com – Italy captain, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, emphasized that his team must learn from the bitter 4-1 defeat to Norway ahead of the World Cup play-offs which will be held next March.

The match at San Siro actually no longer determines the top position in Group I, because Italy needs a win of at least 9-0 to overtake Norway, who have an overwhelming lead in goal difference.

However, the Azzurri squad took to the field with the ambition to prove that they were no longer the same team as when they lost 3-0 in Oslo last June under the direction of Luciano Spalletti.

Di Lorenzo: Second Half Was a Problem

Di Lorenzo admitted that Italy appeared lame between the first and second half.

“We started the first half very well, but maybe our attitude was wrong and too relaxed in the second half, so Norway could come back,” Di Lorenzo told RAI Sport and Sky Sport Italia.

The Napoli defender emphasized that this defeat should be used as an alarm before entering the important phase in March.

“I hope we can learn from this, because March is the moment when everything is at stake and our performance must be very different.”

Norway Superior: 37 Goals, 5 Conceded

Norway closed the group stage with a perfect record—winning all matches, scoring 37 goals, and conceding only five times. Di Lorenzo also paid tribute to this impressive performance.

“We have to congratulate Norway for what they did in the group. Now we have a break to prepare and should be ready in March,” he continued.
He added that in the last two to three months, the team has begun to show a different spirit thanks to Spalletti’s touch.

Play-off pressure: Italy cannot afford to fail again

Italy is again facing a familiar scenario—fighting for the play-offs. The draw will be held on November 20, with the semifinals on March 26 and the final on March 31. Italy will host the semifinals, but will not automatically have home advantage in the final.

Historical records make this moment even more tense: Italy previously failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups after being eliminated in the play-off round.

Di Lorenzo emphasized that failure must not be repeated. “We have to play in a different way and be ready, because the World Cup ticket is on the finish line.”