Esposito Answers Haaland: Italy’s Early Shout in the World Cup Qualifiers Duel

Match moment: Esposito answers Haaland

Francesco Esposito, Italy’s young striker, silenced Erling Haaland’s barbs by finding the net within ten minutes, courtesy of a slick one-two with Federico Dimarco. The finish slipped past the Norway goalkeeper, punching a quick reminder that the Azurri still belong on the scoreboard in these European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

That early strike calmed Italy’s nerves, easing the pressure as the Italians chased a revenge victory after the heavy defeat endured in the opener of the group. Esposito’s goal added to a growing sense that Italy could still shape their own playoff fate, even if the path remained arduous.

Opta later noted that the 20-year-old Esposito became the fourth-youngest Italy player to score his third goal for the Azzurri, a marker that underscored his rising status amid a historically intense rivalry with Norway.

What did Haaland say?

In the lead-up press conference, Haaland offered a fiery mic, joking that he barely knew Esposito, a remark Italian outlets parsed for hours. He added that playing for Italy demands top-tier quality—just as one would expect when you’ve also got to prove yourself for Inter Milan, too. He did not rule out future moves, simply noting he didn’t know what would happen next.

Esposito, for his part, welcomed the challenge, saying he loves the country, has enjoyed good moments here, and that the future is a blank page—one he’s ready to write, one goal at a time.

Road to qualification and a coaching turn

With that early breakthrough, Italy still faced a near-impossible mission to qualify directly from the group. A nine-goal swing in a single match would be one of football’s rarer miracles, given Norway’s +29 goal difference versus Italy’s +12. The math suggested the playoff route, rather than a clean direct run, would be Italy’s best bet.

Before this clash, Italy trailed the group leader by three points after seven games—Norway ahead, Italy chasing. The matchup also served as a backdrop to a broader tactical reset. Italy’s coaching story had recently shifted from Luciano Spalletti’s dismissal to a new era under Gennaro Gattuso, who brought a fresh energy to the squad’s approach and a string of clean sheets and wins that underscored the rebuilding phase.

Italy’s form under Gattuso, including a sequence of strong results and a five-game flawless run at the start of his tenure, positioned the team as a resilient, if not slightly defiant, contender. The side has shown it can grind results and turn the page when a star opponent tries to throw shade, a nod to the unpredictable theater of international football.

Looking ahead, Italy remains in the hunt, with the World Cup 2026 playoff route on the horizon. The coming March will mark the next critical leg of the journey, where margins and momentum could determine whether the Azurri bounce back to the global stage through playoffs, or stumble into a long, tense wait until the next qualifying cycle.

Italy’s campaign so far

Italy sat second in Group 9 with 18 points from seven matches, three behind the leaders. The campaign opened on a difficult note with a 3-0 loss to Norway, raising questions about Italy’s direction. A managerial shift followed, and under Gattuso the team rediscovered its rhythm—illustrated by a five-match winning streak to date and a growing sense that the new setup might yield the consistency needed for a playoff push.

As the squads prepare for the March playoff rounds, Italy’s supporters hope the Esposito spark will be a recurring theme and that Haaland’s bravado will serve as fuel rather than fear. The road to the World Cup remains uncertain, but the narrative now centers on resilience, youth, and a team that has learned to respond when challenged.

And if Italian football has a taste for dramatic late-season twists, tonight’s performance adds another layered chapter to a tournament that loves a good comeback, even if the math says otherwise—for now.

Punchline time: If Esposito keeps scoring like this, Norway’s defense might start wearing clown noses just to soften the sting of defeat. Punchline two: Haaland’s banter might win quotes, but Esposito’s goal might win him a place on the shot chart in Rome for the foreseeable future.