Memories of World Cup qualification heartbreak return as Italy

SANDRO Tonali's Italy must beat Norway by a nine-goal margin tomorrow in order to avoid a third successive World Cup qualification playoff - and head coach Genaro Gattuso has urged the authorities to look at the rules.

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The Italians have always been playing catch-up in Group I ever since they lost 3-0 to Norway in June.

Despite winning their next six matches, including Thursday night's 2-0 victory in Moldova, they continue to trail Norway in the table. Newcastle's Tonali played the full 90 minutes in the Zimbru Stadium, his 30th cap for his country.

Stale Solbakken’s side all but booked their place at next summer's World Cup with a 4-1 win over Estonia and, although Italy could draw level on points by beating them in tomorrow's final group game, Norway's superior goal difference means only a remarkable 9-0 win in the San Siro would shift things in the Italian's favour.