Norway moved to the brink of their first World Cup appearance in 28 years after emphatic doubles from Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth secured a decisive victory over Estonia.
The result preserves Norway’s perfect record in qualifying—seven wins from seven—and keeps them firmly atop Group I, three points clear of Italy with a 17-goal advantage that all but guarantees progression.
Italy’s later 2-0 win over Moldova ensured the race is not mathematically over, but given the vast goal-difference gulf and just one match remaining, overtaking Norway appears highly improbable.
Norway, however, did not have full control from the outset. Despite dominating the first half, they failed to convert several clear opportunities and briefly risked missing the chance to effectively seal qualification.
Sorloth broke the deadlock early in the second half with a commanding header, doubling his tally moments later with another aerial finish to settle Norwegian nerves.
Haaland soon imposed himself on the match, heading in Julian Ryerson’s delivery before firing home his second just seven minutes later, putting the contest beyond reach and underlining Norway’s superiority.
Estonia’s Robi Saarma pulled one back with a powerful strike, but it served only as a consolation as Norway maintained their march toward a long-awaited World Cup return.
For a brief period, it appeared their qualification might even be confirmed on the same night. Italy laboured for 88 minutes against Moldova despite generating 30 attempts, but late goals from Gianluca Mancini and Pio Esposito delayed Norway’s official confirmation—though only in theory, not in likelihood.
