Erling Haaland delivered another decisive moment on the biggest stage, scoring a late winner as Norway edged past Ivory Coast 2-1 to book a place in the World Cup last 16, where they will face Brazil.
The Manchester City striker had been unusually quiet in Dallas for much of the contest, as both sides battled through a tense and evenly matched encounter. The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 86th minute, when Haaland reacted quickest in the box to bundle home from close range after Patrick Berg’s cutback, sealing a dramatic victory for the Norwegians.
It was a result that underlined Haaland’s remarkable consistency on the international stage, with the forward now having scored in 13 consecutive competitive matches for Norway. His goal also secured Norway’s first-ever win in a World Cup knockout tie.
The match had swung back and forth long before the late drama. Ivory Coast, who had taken a cautious approach by starting in a defensive 4-1-4-1 setup, were made to pay for their early conservatism after struggling to create clear chances in the opening half.
Norway struck first in the 39th minute through Antonio Nusa, who produced a moment of real quality. The RB Leipzig winger cut in from the left and curled a precise effort into the top corner, showcasing his growing reputation alongside Haaland in Norway’s attack.
Ivory Coast responded after the break, introducing Amad Diallo to inject more creativity into their play. The change paid off in the 74th minute when the substitute produced a brilliant equaliser, driving in from the right, beating two defenders and finishing calmly to level the match.
Diallo had already made his presence felt earlier, coming agonisingly close at both ends of the pitch. Moments before his goal, he cleared a Norwegian effort off the line after Torbjorn Heggem missed a golden chance from close range.
For a brief period, it looked as though Ivory Coast had done enough to force extra time. But in a tournament defined by elite finishing, Haaland once again proved decisive when it mattered most.
Norway now advance to face Brazil in the last 16, following the South American side’s victory over Japan. The clash is scheduled for Sunday, 5 July, and promises to be one of the standout ties of the knockout stage.
