Erling Haaland scored an 86th-minute winner as Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 in the World Cup Round of 32 on Tuesday, ending the Ivorians’ campaign and sending the Norwegians to the last 16 for the first time since 1998.
Ivory Coast, playing their first World Cup knockout match under coach Emerse Faé, carried the greater early threat. Left-back Ghislain Konan shot into the side netting, and winger Nicolas Pepe volleyed wide from close range after Yan Diomande’s cross.
Norway struck against the run of play in the 39th minute. Captain Martin Ødegaard threaded a pass to Antonio Nusa, and the RB Leipzig winger cut inside before curling a brilliant shot into the far corner for his first World Cup goal.
Ivory Coast responded positively after the break. Coach Faé introduced Amad Diallo in the 59th minute, and the Manchester United winger injected immediate energy into the attack.
Diallo first cleared Torbjorn Heggem’s volley off the line in the 67th minute. Seven minutes later, he scored a magnificent solo equaliser, weaving through the Norwegian defence before firing an emphatic strike past goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.
Just as extra time appeared inevitable, Norway produced the decisive moment. Midfielder Patrick Berg advanced into the penalty area with three defenders converging on him. He kicked the ball across to Haaland, and the Manchester City striker calmly tapped home from close range for his fifth goal of the tournament.
“It was a tight game,” Haaland said after the match. “We knew it would be difficult, but we kept believing.”
Ivory Coast pushed forward desperately in stoppage time. Diallo won a free kick and sent it towards goal, but Nyland produced a diving save to palm the ball over the bar.
The result marked Norway’s first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout match. They will now face five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 16 on July 5 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
For Ivory Coast, the defeat ended an encouraging campaign that saw them reach the knockout stages for the first time after finishing second in Group E.
