But there was disappointment for City’s Croatian duo Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol as the World Cup semi-finalists went down 2-1 away to Wales to dent their own hopes of reaching next summer’s Germany showpiece.
A second half Gavi goal proved the difference for Spain in Oslo in a result that also clinched Scotland’s place in Germany from Group C.
Oscar Bobb made his first senior international start for the Norwegians, joining City team Haaland in Stale Solbakken’s side.
The duo lined up against a strong Spanish side featuring their Etihad team-mate Rodrigo in what was a hard fought and nervy clash ultimately decided by that Gavi second half strike.
Alvaro Morata had the ball in the Norwegian net on 21 minutes after an error by Stefan Strandberg but to the hosts relief the effort was chalked out following a VAR check for offside.
Dani Carvajal then went close for the visitors with an audacious long range shot on the half hour.
At the other end only a timely block from Spain’s former City defender Aymeric Laporte prevented Haaland getting a shot in on goal.
However, four minutes after the restart Spain found the target and this time it did count.
Gavi buried a shot home after a frenzied period of play in the Norwegian box with several players firing in on goal before Gavi’s strike bounced past Nyland and into the corner of the net.
There was another VAR check for offside – one that went on for four minutes – but the effort was eventually confirmed.
Bobb, who had earlier picked up a caution, made way on the hour as Norway sought to try and find parity.
And Haaland had a chance to draw Norway level five minutes from time but couldn’t get enough purchase on a close-range shot as Spain sealed the deal to confirm qualification.
Scotland and Spain join Portugal, France and Belgium in reaching next summer’s finals, with Germany through automatically as hosts.
Meanwhile City duo Kovacic and Gvardiol both started but couldn’t help Croatia bounce back from last Thursday’s loss at home to Turkey as Wales edged a tense, nerve- wracking affair 2-1 in Cardiff.
A brace from Fulham’s Harry Wilson ultimately proved the difference despite a late Croatian fightback to leave Group D on a knife edge with two games left.
An early Wilson free-kick gave a portent of what was to come, his effort being saved by Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic
And the Croatian keeper performed more heroics on the half hour producing a brilliant save with his fingertips to deny Nico Williams and force his effort round the post.
However, the hosts’ pressure eventually paid dividends as danger man Wilson opened the scoring just two minutes into the second half.
The Fulham star first controlled David Brooks’ fine lofted pass on his before delivering a clipped finish past Livakovic to mark his 50th Welsh cap in style.
And a tough night for Croatia was amplified on the hour when Wilson struck to double his and Wales’ tally.
Wilson glanced a Dan James’ header into the corner of the net.
Despite being shorn of several key figures through injury Croatia fought back to narrow the deficit with 15 minutes left, as substitute Mario Palisic headed home from a corner.
That led to a Croatian siege of the Welsh goal but despite intense pressure the hosts held firm to keep their own hopes of qualifying very much alive and Group D in the melting pot.
Turkey lead the way with 13 points from six games, Wales and Croatia have 10 from six but Wales have the better head to head record to lie second. Armenia are fourth with seven points.
The group will now be decided by November’s fixtures with Wales away to Armenia and home to Turkey. Croatia visit Latvia and then entertain Armenia.
