Italy beat Norway 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico in their final Euro 2016 qualification match in Group H, keeping them top and securing 50 games unbeaten.
Alexander Tettey spanked home a fantastic hit from the edge of the box with Norway’s only shot in the first-half before Alessandro Florenzi poked home the equaliser in the second half. Graziano Pelle fired the home side into the lead soon after with a scruffy volley.
The Azzurri made a fast start, with Pelle directing a powerful header just wide of the post with just 60 seconds on the clock.
Despite the promising opening 20 minutes, Gianluigi Buffon was made to pick the ball out of his net due to a superb hit from Tettey. A whipped in cross was only partially cleared before the Norwich City man struck a delightful half-volley from the edge of the box to give the visitors a shock lead.
The game soon simmered down, with Norway seeing much more the ball before Riccardo Montolivo played a clever first-time ball to the back post only for Pelle to direct it wide.
The opening half came to a close with a fine save from Orjan Nyland to deny Florenzi.
Italy began the second half as they ended the first, remaining on the front foot which allowed Eder to nearly nip in on the hour mark to level proceedings, only for Nyland to rush out and thwart the striker.
Florenzi would be on hand to give Italy their deserved equaliser with just 15 minutes remaining. The midfielder was astute in his finish, poking home after a horrendous defensive mix-up.
The turnaround was soon complete, Pelle grabbing his fourth goal for the Azzurri with a first-time hit from a well-delivered ball from Florenzi.
Norway’s late collapse means they fall into third and a playoff spot, having been leapfrogged by Croatia.
