Italy came from behind with two goals in the second half to beat Norway 2-1 in Rome on Tuesday and clinch first place in Group H of Euro 2016 qualifying.
The loss on the final night of qualifying for Norway has allowed Croatia, who won 1-0 at Malta, to leapfrog them into second place.
The Norwegians must now win a play-off in November to reach next summer's tournament in France.
Norwich's Alexander Tettey put the visitors ahead in the 23rd minute against the run of play and great saves from Orjan Nyland frustrated Italy's advances until Alessandro Florenzi equalised in the 73rd minute.
Southampton's Graziano Pelle scored the winner eight minutes from time as the Azzurri extended their unbeaten run at home to 39 matches.
The outcome at the Stadio Olimpico, coupled with Croatia's victory, has left Norway one point adrift of the Croatians, who have qualified alongside the Italians for the European Championship.
Italy went into the contest having clinched a ticket to Euro 2016 with Saturday's 3-1 victory at Azerbaijan.
Azzurri coach Antonio Conte handed Pelle a start alongside Citadin Eder in Italy's attack.
Pelle almost put the hosts ahead in the opening minute but he headed Mattia De Sciglio's cross just inches wide of the far post.
Eder's 15-yard volley was deflected for a corner before Roberto Soriano struck over the bar from a good position.
Norway went ahead after Giorgio Chiellini cleared Stefan Johansen's free-kick but only as far as Tettey.
The midfielder struck a 20-yard left-footed shot towards the right corner of goal to beat Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
The home side pressed forward and could have pulled level in the 35th minute but Pelle's close-range header from Riccardo Montolivo's cross went wide.
Shortly after, Soriano threatened with a hard drive from outside but Nyland came up with the full-stretch save.
Nyland made sure Norway went into the break with a 1-0 advantage when he kept out Pelle's goal-bound header before making a flying save from Florenzi's powerful shot from the edge of the area.
Italy continued where they left off after the restart and on the hour, Nyland came off his line to clear a dangerous ball directed at Eder.
The home side's efforts paid off shortly after when substitute Sebastian Giovinco's cross from the left saw Haitam Aleesami chest the ball back to Nyland only for Florenzi to nip in and strike the ball into the back of the net.
The goal inspired the Azzurri, who surged forward for the winner and got it.
Giovinco's pass found Florenzi and he crossed the ball into the area where Pelle struck a left-footed volley past a helpless Nyland.
Italy held on for their seventh win in qualifying as Norway ended their qualifying campaign with three losses.