Italy suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Norway in World Cup qualifying on 16 November, undone by clinical finishing from the visitors despite controlling territory. Italy's 3-5-2 formation generated 15 shots and 0.89 xG but converted just once, with Francesco Pio Esposito's goal proving insufficient; their goalkeeper made five saves at 75 per cent efficiency yet still conceded four. Norway's 4-5-1 setup proved devastatingly efficient, requiring only 13 shots and 1.42 xG to score four times, with Erling Haaland netting twice alongside Antonio Nusa and Jorgen Strand Larsen. The disparity in clinical finishing—Norway converting 31 per cent of shots on target compared to Italy's 25 per cent—proved decisive. Alejandro Hernandez oversaw the contest as Italy's attacking dominance in volume failed to translate into results, a concerning sign for their qualification campaign.