Italy 1-4 Norway Player Ratings: Haaland Rated 9/10 as His Brace Sinks Azzurri in 4-1 Upset

What a turnaround at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza! Pio Esposito's 11th-minute strike seemed to set the tone for a comfortable home victory in this crucial WC Qualification Europe clash. The Azzurri controlled the first half, and Norway looked a bit lost, unable to get their main men into the game. The first half gameplay from both teams looked like they were comfortable with italy leading with 1-0.

However, the second half was a completely different story. It was a tale of two halves, truly. Norway national football team emerged from the break with renewed purpose and aggression, completely overwhelming the Italian side. What stood out to us was the sheer belief they showed. The brilliant Antonio Nusa sparked the comeback with a fantastic equalizer, and from that moment on, the momentum was entirely with the visitors.

The man who led his team to world cup Erling Haaland, who had been relatively quiet, exploded into life. His two quick-fire goals were a brutal display of clinical finishing, punishing a suddenly fragile Italian defense. Italy simply had no answer. This match will be remembered for Norway's stunning resilience and Italy's shocking second-half collapse.

Here are Italy Vs Norway Player Ratings

Italy Player Ratings vs Norway

Here are Italy Player Ratings vs Norway

Goalkeeper

Gianluigi Donnarumma - 5.0: A tough night for the captain. He only made one save all game and picked the ball out of his net three times. While he wasn't directly at fault for the goals, a keeper of his stature is expected to command his area better during a collapse. He looked helpless as Norway ran riot.

Defenders

Alessandro Bastoni - 4.5: A performance to forget. We noticed he looked uncomfortable against Norway's pace all evening. His error led to a goal, and he picked up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge. He was completely overwhelmed by Haaland in the second half. A very poor showing.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo - 5.0: Really struggled to make any impact. He was dribbled past twice and seemed a step off the pace defensively. Going forward, his crosses were ineffective. He was a passenger in a defense that was crying out for a leader to step up. He just wasn't there.

Gianluca Mancini - 5.5: He made a few important clearances, but that's about it. He and Bastoni were all at sea trying to contain Norway's attack. While he wasn't as error-prone as his partner, he was part of a unit that completely capitulated under pressure. Not good enough.

Midfielders

Federico Dimarco - 7.0: One of the few bright spots for Italy, especially in the first half. He provided the assist for the opening goal and was a constant threat down the left, creating three chances. He faded as Norway took control, but at least he showed some fight and quality on the ball.

Manuel Locatelli - 6.0: He was busy, racking up touches and passes, but where was the influence? From our perspective, he failed to grab the game by the scruff of the neck when his team needed him. He fought in duels but ultimately couldn't stem the Norwegian tide. A decent but forgettable outing.

Matteo Politano - 5.5: Frustrating is the word. He created a few chances but lost the ball a staggering 16 times. His decision-making in the final third was poor, and his end product was lacking. He showed flashes but it ultimately amounted to very little.

Davide Frattesi - 5.0: We barely noticed he was on the pitch. He had just 15 touches before being substituted. He made no impact on the game defensively or offensively. An anonymous performance that rightfully saw him hooked early.

Nicolò Barella - 5.5: Looked agitated and it showed in his performance. He earned a yellow card and gave away several fouls. While he tried to drive the team forward, he lost possession too often and couldn't impose his will on the midfield battle. A very off night for a player of his quality.

Forwards

Mateo Retegui - 5.0: He worked hard and was a physical nuisance, but offered absolutely nothing in front of goal. He was completely isolated and couldn't get into the game. It was a thankless task, but he failed to make any real impression.

Pio Esposito - 6.5: A mixed performance. He took his goal well and looked sharp early on, giving Italy the lead. However, he also missed a big chance and picked up a silly yellow card. He showed promise but needs to be more consistent throughout the 90 minutes.

Substitutes

Bryan Cristante, Mattia Zaccagni, Gianluca Scamacca - N/A: None of the substitutes were able to change the course of the match. They came on when the team was already reeling and couldn't make a difference.

Manager

I. Gattuso - 4.0: His team started brightly but the second-half collapse falls squarely on his shoulders. He was tactically outmaneuvered by his counterpart. His substitutions were ineffective and he had no plan B once Norway equalized. A disastrous evening for the manager.

Norway Player Ratings vs Italy

Here are Norway Player Ratings vs Italy

Goalkeeper

Ørjan Nyland - 7.5: Stood tall when his team needed him. He conceded early but didn't let it faze him. Made three crucial saves in the second half that kept Norway level and allowed them to push for the win. A confident and commanding performance.

Defenders

Kristoffer Ajer - 7.0: So calm and composed at the back. His 98% pass accuracy shows just how reliable he was in possession, helping build from the back. He won his duels and was a steadying presence throughout. A very classy defensive display.

David Møller Wolfe - 6.5: A solid, if unspectacular, outing. He had a few nervy moments and gave away a couple of fouls. However, he stuck to his task and contributed to a defensive unit that grew stronger as the game progressed. Did his job well.

Julian Ryerson - 6.0: A mixed bag of a performance. The stats show an error leading to a goal which is a major black mark. However, he never stopped running and tried to contribute going forward. It was a battling display, even if the quality wasn't always there.

Torbjørn Heggem - 7.0: What stood out to us was his dominance. He won 100% of his duels, both on the ground and in the air. He was a rock at the back for Norway, making key clearances and interceptions. An unsung hero in this victory.

Midfielders

Patrick Berg - 6.5: Did the simple things well before he was substituted. He kept possession ticking over and provided a solid base in midfield. It was a disciplined performance that laid the groundwork for the second-half surge.

Alexander Sørloth - 7.0: A tireless worker. He provided the crucial assist for Haaland's goal, showing great awareness. While he lost possession a bit too much for our liking, his physical presence and work rate created constant problems for the Italian backline.

Sander Berge - 7.0: So elegant on the ball. His passing was near-perfect, and he controlled the middle of the park with authority in the second half. He sprayed long balls effectively, switching the point of attack and keeping Italy off balance. A very intelligent performance.

Kristian Thorstvedt - 7.5: The engine of the team. He won a remarkable six of his seven duels, showing incredible fight and tenacity. He was everywhere, breaking up play and driving his team forward. A fantastic, all-action midfield display.

Forwards

Erling Haaland - 9.0: This is what he does. After a quiet first half, he exploded into life and decided the match. Two chances, two goals. His finishing was just ruthless. He bullied the Italian defenders and showed why he's one of the best in the world. A phenomenal match-winning contribution.

Antonio Nusa - 9.0: Our Man of the Match. He was simply unplayable. He scored the vital equalizer with a composed finish, but his overall performance was sensational. He completed five dribbles, created three chances, and terrified the Italian defence every time he got the ball. A truly special talent who sparked the comeback.

Substitutes

Morten Thorsby, Thelo Aasgaard, Oscar Bobb - N/A: Came on to see the game out and did their jobs effectively, helping Norway maintain control until the final whistle.

Manager

S. Solbakken - 8.5: A tactical masterclass. Whatever he said at halftime worked wonders. His team came out with belief and a clear plan, which they executed to perfection. He identified Italy's weaknesses and exploited them brutally. He completely out-coached his opponent on the night.

Sportsdunia's player of the match is Haaland