Italy secured top spot in their Euro 2016 qualifying group by coming from behind to beat Norway 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Alexander Tettey fired the Norwegians ahead midway through the first half with a powerful low strike from the edge of the box.
After the break, Italy equalised as Alessandro Florenzi made the most of a defensive mistake from Haitam Aleesami to score from close range.
Graziano Pelle then volleyed in a cross from Florenzi to secure the win for Italy, and consign Norway to a playoff berth.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Good evening everyone! It has been a busy few days of international football, and the action continues tonight with the final group matches of Euro 2016 qualification. Italy have already booked their place at next summer's tournament, but Norway still have plenty of work to do to if they are to join them.
Italy rarely miss out on the big tournaments and they made sure of a sixth successive appearance at the European Championship by beating Azerbaijan 3-1 at the weekend. They have gone unbeaten in their qualifying campaign so far and if they avoid defeat again they will finish atop of Group I.
It is slightly more complicated for Norway, but a victory will definitely see Per-Mathias Hogmo's side reach their first major tournament in 16 years. A draw or a defeat could also be enough, but should Croatia win in Malta then either of those outcomes would push them into third place.
I'll make sure to update you on the action taking place in Malta, as it could prove to be a dramatic night for all the teams involved in the group. Right, with kick off fast approaching I think it's about time we had a look at some team news.
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ITALY XI: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Darmian, Florenzi, Montolivo, Soriano, De Sciglio; Eder, Pelle
NORWAY XI: Nyland; Elabdellaoui, Hovland, Forren, Aleesami; Johansen, Tettey; Skjelbred, Henriksen, Berget; Soderlund
ITALY SUBS: Padelli, Astori, Ranocchia, Santon, Candreva, Bonaventura, Bertolacci, Zaza, Giovinco, El Shaarawy, Quagliarella
NORWAY SUBS: Jarstein, Andre Hansen, Svensson, Strandberg, Linnes, Nordtveit, Odegaard, Samuelsen, Selnaes, Berisha, King, Veton Berisha
Italy have chosen to line up in a 3-5-2 formation this evening, with the Juventus backline providing a familiar looking defence. In form strikers Graziano Pelle and Eder both start in the attack once again, with Roberto Soriano, Alessandro Florenzi and Riccardo Montolivo making up the midfield.
With Norway looking to claim all three points this evening, their main attacking threat will come from Alexander Soderlund. The Rosenberg striker is the top scorer in the Norwegian top flight this season with 21 goals, however, he has only found the net once for his country.
These teams played each other at the beginning of the qualifying campaign last September. It proved to be a very comfortable night for Italy as they eased to a 2-0 victory, with Juventus duo Simone Zaza and Leonardo Bonucci finding the back of the net in Oslo.
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With Croatia expected to win in Malta, you would think that a victory for Norway is vital this evening. Even a draw could see them consigned to the playoffs, as a win for Croatia would see the teams move level on 20 points, with Niko Kovac's side possessing the better head to head record. An already difficult task for the visitors in Rome is made even more daunting as Italy are unbeaten in 38 competitive home games.
KICKOFF! We are underway at the Stadio Olimpico!
CHANCE! It's almost a nightmare start for Norway as Italy come within inches of breaking the deadlock. They quickly play the ball out wide to De Sciglio, who whips a great cross into the box that is met by Pelle, but the Southampton striker can only place his header wide of the far post.
The visitors look very nervous in the opening stages of the match, and they have given possession away cheaply more than once. Another poor error at the back almost sees Eder have a chance to get a shot away, but they manage to clear the danger just in time.
SHOT! There is certainly no complacency from Italy this evening as they cause more panic in the Norway backline. The ball eventually drops to Soriano outside the box, and the Sampdoria man then takes a couple of touches before firing a strike high over the bar.
SHOT! Even at this early stage in the match, it appears that Norway are going to be in for a long night. The Italians have already had a number of chances on goal, and Eder has their latest effort with a volley that is deflected wide of the post.
Eder is looking lively this evening and he flies in to meet a corner, but can't quite direct the ball on target. He has scored two goals in his five appearances for the national side and is also the leading marksman in Serie A this season.
The pressure is certainly mounting from Italy and Darmian whips a great cross into the middle that is cleared away as Pelle looks set to score. It is only cleared away as far as Florenzi on the left, who teases another cross into the box that has a bit too much on it and goes out harmlessly for a goal kick.
Norway show their threat for the first time as Elabdellaoui makes a great run down the right and delivers a dangerous ball into the middle. However, Barzagli was in the right place to head the ball away from danger and set Italy away on another attack.
There have been no other goals in the rest of the Group H matches this evening, meaning that Norway are still in second spot and on their way to Euro 2016. Of course, there is a lot of football left to be played and the table could undergo a few changes before the end of the night.
GOAL! Italy 0-1 Norway (Alexander Tettey)
Having weathered a storm of pressure in the opening minutes, Norway take a crucial lead thanks to a superb goal from Tettey. A long free kick is only headed clear to the Norwich City man on the edge of the box, who rifles in a cracking low strike that beats Buffon and picks out the bottom corner. That goal means that Norway are now top of the group and in pole position to reach the championships in France.
UPDATE! The goals are certainly flying in now across Europe and we have the first of the evening in Malta. Ivan Perisic has scored the goal for Croatia, which will lift them up to 20 points in the group table. They are still heading to the playoffs as things stand, but a goal for Italy would change everything.
Norway have got everybody back behind the ball now as they look to defend their precious lead. They will be wary of inviting too much pressure on their defence, as there is still over an hour left of this match to be played.
The visitors have started to see a bit more of the ball and there a few groans coming from the home fans inside the ground. There are also a few gaps in the midfield for the visitors when they counter and they have won a couple more free kicks in promising areas.
MISS! What a huge chance this is for Pelle to bring Italy level. The striker is picked out at the back post by Montolivo's clever flick over the top, but from just a few yards out, he can only head the ball wide of the post with the goal gaping.
SAVE! Italy are starting to crank up the pressure and they have another chance when Soriano picks the ball up 25 yards out from goal. He then looks to drill a low strike into the bottom corner, but Nyland is across his line well to touch the ball behind.
The hosts are ending the half strongly and they are seeing the ball in some dangerous areas down the flanks. Conte will be wondering how his side have not been able to find the net so far this evening, as they have certainly created some very decent openings.
It doesn't look like we will be seeing any more goals before the break, and it would be a cruel blow to Norway if they were to concede now. Whatever happens in the remaining minutes of the half, it is going to be a very important team talk for Hogmo.
SAVE! Pelle is always a threat in the air and he rises highest inside the box to flick Darmian's cross goalwards. It doesn't look as if it will cause too many problems, but the keeper has to stick out a hand to touch it over the bar.
SAVE! This is a far more impressive save from Nyland. The Norway keeper is alert to spring across his line and pal Florenzi's stinging drive wide of the target. I'm sure that it won't be the last save he has to make this evening.
HALF-TIME: Italy 0-1 Norway
Well, it looks as if we could have a surprise on our hands in Rome this evening, as Norway head into the break with a 1-0 lead against Italy. A fine goal from Alexander Tettey is what separates the sides, and as things stand, it is putting his team through to next summer's European Championship.
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A look at the statistics from the opening 45 minutes show that Italy have been well on top. They have seen 58% of the possession and have had 10 attempts on goal, but they are behind thanks to Norway's only shot of the match.
There is plenty of action going on across the continent this evening, and over in Amsterdam the Netherlands are on the verge of failing to reach the playoffs, as goals from Pavel Kaderabek and Josef Sural have given the Czech Republic a 2-0 lead. The Dutch have to win that match to stand any chance of beating Turkey to third place, and even though their opponents are down 10 men, a comeback looks a long way off.
RESTART! Norway take the kick off for the second half and get the match back underway.
The Azzurri are on the attack straight away and Darmian bursts down the right, before pulling a low ball across the box. It causes a number of problems and Pelle almost gets a shot away, but somehow the Norwegian defence manage to scramble it clear.
SHOT! Some more fine interchange from Italy sees Pelle lay the ball off for Soriano to strike from just outside the box. He gets plenty of power on the effort, but it is hit straight at the keeper, who holds on and makes a comfortable stop.
SUB! Norway are being forced into a change, as Skjelbred heads off to be replaced by Samuelsen.
We may still be in the early stages of the second half, but Norway are already hanging on. Almost all of their players are behind the ball and they are dropping very deep. There is also very little support for them up front, meaning that every time they clear the ball it is just coming straight back at them.
Italy are in complete control of the ball, but they are struggling to create any clear-cut chances at the moment. The visitors are doing a great job of staying solid and compact at the back, with Eder and Pelle feeding off scraps.
SUB! The visitors make their second change of the evening, as King comes on to replace Soderlund.
CHANCE! Italy come close to drawing level as Soriano breaks clear of the defence to meet Bouncci's long ball over the top, before heading it on to Eder. However, Nyland is off his line quickly to save at the feet of the Sampdoria man, who has gone down in pain following a collision with the keeper.
SUB! Eder goes off to receive treatment behind the goal, with Giovinco taking his place up front.
For the first time in the match, Norway are enjoying a good spell of possession, and are playing the ball around with ease between their midfield and defence. They are coming under very little pressure from Italy's forwards, and Conte looks furious with his players on the touchline.
SUB! Italy make another change, as Bertolacci comes on for his Milan teammate Montolivo.
We have just had a stoppage in play while the medics treat Johansen. He had gone down awkwardly after a fair challenge from Chiellini, but after receiving some attention on his shoulder he looks fine to continue.
SUB! It's the last throw of the dice for Italy, as Candreva comes on for Barzagli.
GOAL! Italy 1-1 Norway (Alessandro Florenzi)
It's a horrible moment for Norway as a huge mistake at the back sees Italy draw level. Giovinco whips a teasing ball in from the left, that doesn't look to be causing any danger. However, Aleesami tries to chest the ball back to his keeper and gets it all wrong, with Florenzi nipping in to to slot past Nyland. Croatia will now be heading through in second place behind Italy, with Norway having to settle for a playoff spot.
SAVE! Giovinco has made a great impact for Italy since coming on and he almost gets on the scoresheet when he is picked out at the back post. He then tries to curl a strike into the top corner, but Nyland sees it all the way and palms the ball over the bar.
SUB! Norway make their final change of the evening, with Berisha coming on for Berget.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Italy look as if they have taken the lead when Candreva is slipped through on goal and squares it to Florenzi to tap in. However, the flag was raised for an offside, although the replays show that is a harsh call from the linesman.
GOAL! Italy 2-1 Norway (Graziano Pelle)
Norway's hopes of claiming an automatic spot for Euro 2016 look all but over as Pelle strikes to give Italy the lead for the first time this evening. The Southampton striker is picked out by Florenzi's cross from the right, before drilling a half-volley beyond Nyland and into the far corner.
As things stand, Italy are heading through on top of the group, with Croatia behind them in second place. The Croatians are still leading Malta by a single goal, although an equaliser from the hosts would see Norway leapfrog them yet again.
It looks as if Italy will preserve their long unbeaten run at home in competitive fixtures, and reach Euro 2016 with an unbeaten record. They have been criticised for their displays in this qualifying campaign, but they have let their results do all of the talking.
There are going to be at least three minutes of stoppage time.
CHANCE! Italy almost wrap things up as Giovinco breaks from inside his own half. He is allowed to advance a long way, before playing the ball to Candreva on the edge of the box. The Lazio man then works some room to shoot and tries to bend a low strike into the bottom corner, but his strike heads a few inches wide of the far post.
FULL-TIME: Italy 2-1 Norway
It's all over in Rome, where Italy have come from behind to beat Norway in their final Euro 2016 qualifier. Graziano Pelle's winning strike has helped the Azzurri seal top spot in the group and preserve their unbeaten record in qualifying. Meanwhile, Norway will have to settle for a playoff place, as Croatia have beaten Malta to secure the final automatic qualification spot.
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Right, that's just about all we've got time for this evening. Make sure you stick with us for match reports from all of tonight's qualifiers, as well as the latest news and reaction from across Europe. Until next time, goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
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