The latest points report of the World European Preliminary: Ronaldo is absent, Portugal wins and advances, Italy has to play in the play-offs again

In the early morning of November 17, the final round of the European group stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers kicked off. Today, 4 groups and 8 games were competed. After a fierce battle, Ireland defeated Hungary 3:2 away, Portugal beat Armenia 9:1 at home, England beat Albania 2:0 away, Serbia beat Latvia 2:1 at home, France beat Azerbaijan 3:1 away, Ukraine beat Iceland 2:0 at home, Norway reversed Italy 4:1 away, and Israel beat Moldova 4:1 at home.

In the last World Cup, Italy failed to defeat Northern Ireland in the final round. Switzerland counterattacked and took first place in the group. Italy had to play in the play-offs. As a result, it was eliminated at home by North Macedonia in the first round of the play-offs. In this World Cup preliminaries, Italy suffered a disastrous away defeat to Norway in the third round. After that, Norway gave Italy no chance to catch up. They won all 7 games and the goal difference was as high as 29 goals. Before the two teams met again today, Norway and Italy had a full 17 goal difference. This means that Italy must beat Norway by 9 goals to complete a magical counterattack and win the first place in the group. This is obviously unrealistic. I am afraid that the only thought of Italy is to take revenge at home. After the opening, Italy really took the lead very quickly. In just 10 minutes, the Italian midfielder launched an attack with a long pass. The Norwegian defense made a mistake and sent a gift. Ryerson failed to stop the ball in the penalty area and was intercepted by Dimarco. Reteguice responded in an inverted triangle and Dimarco blocked the ball to the middle. Esposito received the ball from the front of the penalty area and turned around and swept the ball into the net. Italy got a dream start at 1:0.

Norway, which lost the ball early, did not panic. After all, as long as they did not lose 9 goals, they could still qualify first. However, it was difficult for Italy to score again. In the 35th minute, Italy played exquisite cooperation. Dimarco passed the ball from the left side of the penalty area, and Esposito's header from close range also missed the goal. Easy side fought again and Norway launched a fierce offensive. In the 62nd minute, the Norwegian midfielder made a fast break. Sorlot midfielder crossed the left side of the ball. Berg made a clever pass. Nousa turned around to receive the ball and continued to advance into the penalty area. The two Italians returned to defend but no one pressed. Nousa calmly shot with his left foot in the penalty area. The ball went into the net and Norway equalized the score 1:1. In the 77th minute, Noosa once again singled out Italy's two-man defense. There was a space on the edge of the penalty area and a pass came back. Bob, who had just come on as a substitute, received the ball and passed the ball in front of the goal. The Italian side missed the target. Harland, who was unguarded, met the ball at the front of the small penalty area and half-turned and volleyed the ball. Norway went ahead 2:1.

Norway came back just 1 minute later. The previously tough Italian defense was now like a sieve. Bastoni's free ball from the backcourt was intercepted by Bob. Bob intercepted and sent it forward. Thorsby received the ball at high speed and broke into the right side of the penalty area to pass the ball. Harland followed up from the back row to grab the spot and shot from the front of the small penalty area. Harland scored twice and Norway led 3:1. In stoppage time, Norway intercepted the ball in the backcourt and counterattacked. Thorsby made a direct pass. Larsson stepped in to receive the ball and advanced at high speed. The Italian defense chose not to press and retreated while defending, but it was still completely useless. Larsson easily passed Mancini with a change of direction and calmly pushed the shot from the front of the small penalty area into the far corner. Norway sealed the victory 4:1. In the end, even though Norway could finish first even if they lost, they once again abused Italy in the away game and reversed the situation to win a double victory over Italy.

In terms of standings, in Group D, France secured first place in the last round. Today they won easily and remained unbeaten with 5 wins and 1 draw. Ukraine defeated Iceland and overtook Iceland to qualify for the play-offs. In Group F, with Ronaldo absent, Portugal won wildly to secure first place in the group and qualify for the World Cup. Ireland won again today after defeating Portugal. Like Ukraine, they counterattacked Hungary to qualify for the play-offs. There was no suspense in Group I and Group K. Italy couldn't even get revenge. It was reversed and double beaten by Norway, and finally had to go to the play-offs. In the end, Norway and England both won and advanced, with England not conceding a single goal.