Euro 2016

[monks data]

European Championship | Qualifiers

Oct 13, 2015 at 7.45pm UK

Italy
2-1
Norway Norway

Florenzi (73'), Pelle (82')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Tettey (23')

Italy comeback dents Norway hopes of reaching Euro 2016

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 13 October 2015

Second-half goals from Alessandro Florenzi and Graziano Pelle hand Italy a 2-1 comeback win over Norway to end Per Hogmo's side's chances of automatically reaching Euro 2016.

Italy came from behind to end Norway's hopes of automatically qualifying for Euro 2016 with a 2-1 victory at the Stadio Olimpico this evening.

Italy's forward Graziano Pelle (2ndL) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match between Italy and Norway at Rome's Olympic stadium, on October 13, 2015 © Getty Images

The home side could have taken the lead in the opening minute when Mattia De Sciglio sent a cross in from the left to find Graziano Pelle, but he could only head his effort wide of the target.

The Azzurri kept the pressure on Norway as Eder raided forward to the edge of the box and he fired a powerful strike at goal, which was deflected just past the post, with Orjan Nyland scrambling across his line.

However, the visitors took the lead in the 23rd minute when Alexander Tettey collected the ball on the edge of the box following a poor clearance by the Italy defence and he blasted an effort into the bottom corner.

Alexander Tettey of Norway scores the opening goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier between Italy and Norway on October 13, 2015 © Getty Images

Italy could have got back into the game as Riccardo Montolivo's flicked ball over the top of the defence allowed Pelle in behind, but he failed to hit the target with his close-range header.

The Azzurri pressed before the break to get a leveller as Pelle forced Nyland into a one-handed save to divert his header over the bar, while the keeper then pushed Alessandro Florenzi's effort past the post.

Pelle continued to a thorn in the side of the visitors as he linked up with Roberto Soriano on the edge of the box, only to see the midfielder drill a strike straight into the arms of Nyland.

Italy nearly found a way past Nyland when Soriano glanced a long ball from Leonardo Bonucci into the path of Eder. However, the keeper raced off his line to smother the ball at the feet of the forward before he could lift a strike towards goal.

Italys' midfielder Alessandro Florenzi celebrates after scoring during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match between Italy and Norway at Rome's Olympic stadium,on October 13, 2015 © Getty Images

The home side finally got their equaliser through Florenzi as he capitalised on a mistake from Vegard Forren as the defender attempted to chest a cross into the box back to Nyland, with the midfielder able to nip in and slot the ball into the net.

Pelle completed the comeback for the Azzurri when he met Florenzi's cross from the right and guided an effort on the half-volley past Nyland to secure the win for Antonio Conte's men.

The result leaves the Scandanavian side having to compete in the playoffs in an attempt to reach the tournament next year following Croatia's win over Malta, which allowed them sneak into the final automatic qualification spot.