Gattuso apologises after Italy collapse against Haaland-inspired Norway
Gennaro Gattuso (Italy)
November 2025
Italy’s World Cup hopes took another hit as they collapsed to a 4-1 defeat at San Siro after leading at half-time. Pio Esposito’s opener briefly raised belief they could chase an unlikely automatic spot, but Norway’s response killed any remaining optimism. Norway hit back through Antonio Nusa before Erling Haaland struck twice and Jorgen Strand Larsen added a ruthless fourth, exposing Italian fragility. Gennaro Gattuso admitted fear gripped his players after the break, while Gianluigi Donnarumma lamented Italy stopped playing with the intensity shown before half-time.