Norway all but assured of World Cup spot; Italy headed for playoffs again

Erling Haaland scored again and Norway moved even closer to qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998 by beating Estonia 4-1 in Oslo on Thursday.

The win virtually secures a spot for the high-scoring Norwegians in next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Norway has a vastly superior goal difference compared to second-placed Italy, which needed two late goals to beat Moldova later Thursday.

Norway travels to play Italy on Sunday to close out UEFA group-stage qualifying.

Italy will likely have to settle for the playoffs where the four-time World Cup champion was shockingly eliminated in the past two editions.

All of Norway's goals came in the second half. Haaland scored twice in a six-minute span to increase the lead to 4-0 after Alexander Sorloth put the hosts 2-0 ahead shortly after the break.

Haaland has scored 14 of Norway's European-best 33 goals in seven group-stage games. The Manchester City striker was born two years after Norway last reached the World Cup.

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