{"id":2834,"date":"2025-11-14T13:26:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T13:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.matteocoachperformance.it\/?p=2834"},"modified":"2025-11-14T13:26:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T13:26:14","slug":"how-italy-can-miraculously-avoid-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.matteocoachperformance.it\/?p=2834","title":{"rendered":"How Italy Can Miraculously Avoid Them"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n All Stories<\/span>Azzurri<\/span><\/p>\n
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Italy are all-but guaranteed a World Cup playoff spot owing to Norway’s dominance in Group I. However, there is one miraculous solution that could secure automatic qualification. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Italy can avoid the World Cup playoffs and finish top by achieving a scoreline they have only ever pulled off once in their entire history.<\/b><\/p>\n

The Azzurri limped to a 2-0 win in Moldova on November 13. Late goals from Gianluca Mancini and Francesco Pio Esposito ensured maximum points at the Zimbru Stadium.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, their efforts can be deemed futile. Norway romped to a 4-1 win against Estonia just hours earlier. On matchday 8, the two go head-to-head in Milan.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Two late goals and we come away with the win \u2705#MDAITA<\/a> #Azzurri<\/a> #VivoAzzurro<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/f4wCYH4mGc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Italy \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f (@Azzurri_En) November 13, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

What Italy Must Do To Avoid The World Cup Playoffs<\/h2>\n

When Italy welcomes Norway to the San Siro on November 16, the Azzurri need a NINE-goal victory to pip the Scandinavians to top spot in Group I.<\/span><\/p>\n

As unlikely as that seems, it isn\u2019t completely beyond the realm of possibility. However, Stale Solbakken\u2019s side has a perfect record in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Red, White and Blues<\/span><\/i> have defeated all before them so far \u2013 earning 21 points from seven matches. That of course, included a 3-0 victory over the Italians on matchday 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only that, the Norwegians have scored a hugely impressive 33 times. No other side in European qualifying has netted more than 22 (Netherlands).<\/span><\/p>\n

In terms of the top scorer, that honor \u2013 unsurprisingly \u2013 belongs to Erling Haaland. The Manchester City star has scored 14 times which included a five-goal haul against Moldova in September.<\/span><\/p>\n

His tally alone is more than the likes of Germany, France and Portugal\u2019s entire return. With the above in mind, Italy \u2013 who are second on 18 points \u2013 needs a minor miracle to bypass the World Cup playoffs.<\/span><\/p>\n

With<\/span> Federico Chiesa\u2019s future in doubt under Gennaro Gattuso<\/span>, it appears the Nazionale head coach best prepare for March\u2019s semi-final and potential final. Failure there will also cast huge doubt over his own future in the dugout.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s almost unprecedented that the four-time winners will miss out for a third successive tournament. Sweden beat them in the 2018 playoff with North Macedonia doing the same for the 2022 edition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Italy\u2019s Biggest Ever Soccer Wins<\/h2>\n

Italy\u2019s biggest ever soccer win was in fact a 9-0 thrashing against the USA. That victory was recorded at the 1948 Olympic Games that were hosted in London.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most the Azzurri have scored in a single match occurred in the 11-3 trouncing over Egypt in 1928. Interestingly, that too was at the Olympic Games.<\/span><\/p>\n

More recently, Armenia was put to the sword with a 9-1 loss in Euro 2020 qualifying. A tournament of which the Italians would go on to win.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neighbors San Marino have also been on the receiving end of the Azzurri\u2019s wrath. The soccer minnows were beaten 7-0 in a friendly four years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the 9-0 victory is required on November 16, it does seem improbable that Gennaro Gattuso will be joining <\/span>Fabio Cannavaro\u2019s Uzbekistan<\/span> in the tournament, yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two were part of the 2006 winning-squad and will be desperate to reunite in the US, Canada and Mexico next summer. However, Gattuso will surely have to take the hard route to the Land of Opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Are Norway\u2019s Heaviest Ever Soccer Defeats?<\/h2>\n

Norway can practically start planning their trip to North America. Looking at their heaviest defeats and applying common sense, they won\u2019t need the World Cup playoffs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The biggest losses they have endured occurred over 80 years. The Scandinavians were beaten 12-0 by neighbors Denmark in a friendly in 1917.<\/span><\/p>\n

They also lost 10-0 to Sweden in a friendly that was played just months after WW2. Interestingly, their biggest defeat from 2000 onward actually occurred against the USMNT.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taylor Twellman helped himself to a hat-trick in the 5-0 friendly victory back in 2006. The <\/span>Red, White and Blues<\/span><\/i> also took a 5-1 battering against Croatia in Euro 2016 qualifying.<\/span><\/p>\n

World Cup Playoffs \u2013 Italy\u2019s Potential Opponents<\/h2>\n

Strongly assuming that Italy doesn\u2019t beat Norway by nine goals on November 16, they will play a World Cup playoff semi-final on March 26.<\/span><\/p>\n

That will be a one-legged affair played on home soil. The Azzurri \u2013 who are seeded as a pot 1 nation \u2013 will play a country ranked in pot 4.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should they progress, a one-off final will take place on March 31. The draw for the playoffs will take place on November 20 \u2013 after the conclusion of all the qualifiers.<\/span><\/p>\n

In terms of semi-final opponents, Gennaro Gattuso\u2019s side can meet any one of Wales\/Poland, Romania, Sweden or Northern Ireland.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the final, Gattuso will likely line-up against any one of Scotland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Albania, North Macedonia, Iceland, Bosnia & Herzegovina or Kosovo.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n