Antonio Nusa opened the scoring with a brilliant finish, Amad Diallo brought Côte d’Ivoire back into the game, but Erling Haaland delivered the decisive goal to send Norway into the World Cup last 16.
Norway is going to face Brazil in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup. And, once again, Erling Haaland found the moment that mattered most.
The Manchester City striker was quiet for long stretches, far from dominant and often well contained by Côte d’Ivoire’s back line. But knockout soccer is about moments, and Haaland produced his in the 86th minute, scoring the goal that gave Norway a 2-1 win and sent Ståle Solbakken’s side through to the next round.
It was Haaland’s fifth goal of the tournament, another reminder that even when he does not control the game, he can still decide it.
Côte d’Ivoire started with more energy and purpose. The African side pushed Norway back early and created the first major chance through Nicolas Pépé, who was well served by Yan Diomandé at the far post but failed to hit the target. Emerse Faé’s team looked aggressive, brave and dangerous in transition.
Norway, however, gradually settled into the match. Sørloth worked hard for the team, holding the ball up and creating space, while Martin Ødegaard tried to bring rhythm to the midfield. Haaland remained on the edge of the match, but Antonio Nusa stepped forward just before halftime.
In the 39th minute, Nusa produced a moment of pure quality, curling a superb shot under the crossbar to give Norway the lead. It was the kind of goal that can change a knockout game: sudden, technical and almost impossible for the goalkeeper to stop.
Norway nearly doubled the lead shortly afterward, and at halftime the Scandinavian side appeared to be in control.
The second half began with Norway managing the game well. Côte d’Ivoire struggled to create clear chances, while Norway’s defense stayed compact and organized. But Faé’s substitutions changed the match.
Amad Diallo came off the bench and immediately gave Côte d’Ivoire a different attacking edge. In the 74th minute, he produced a beautiful individual action and scored the equalizer, bringing the African side back into the game and shifting the momentum.
For a few minutes, Norway looked vulnerable. Côte d’Ivoire believed the comeback was possible, Pépé kept pushing, and Diallo’s entrance had transformed the match.
Then Haaland appeared.
With only a few minutes left before full time, Norway found the decisive move. Sander Berge delivered the key assist, and Haaland, even without striking the ball cleanly, managed to send it into the net. It was not the most elegant goal of his career, but it may be one of the most important of Norway’s World Cup run.
Côte d’Ivoire fought until the end, but Norway held firm. The final whistle confirmed a historic win and a massive Round of 16 meeting with Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil.
For Côte d’Ivoire, this is a painful exit after a brave performance. Pépé was one of the last players to surrender, Diallo changed the match from the bench, and the team showed personality against a dangerous European opponent.
For Norway, the dream continues. Nusa brought the magic, Sørloth did the dirty work, Berge delivered the decisive pass, and Haaland did what Haaland does: he decided the game.
Match Report
Côte d’Ivoire 1-2 Norway
Halftime: 0-1
Goals: 39’ Nusa, 74’ Diallo, 86’ Haaland
Côte d’Ivoire: Fofana; Doué, Kossounou, Agbadou, Konan (90+3’ Touré); Sangaré; Pépé (87’ Diakité), Kessié, Oulai (60’ Diallo), Y. Diomandé (90+3’ Guessand); Bonny (60’ Wahi).
Coach: Emerse Faé
Norway: Nyland; Pedersen (83’ Aursnes), Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Berge, Berg, Ødegaard; Nusa (71’ Schjelderup), Haaland, Sørloth (71’ Bobb).
Coach: Ståle Solbakken
Referee: Valenzuela (Venezuela)
Yellow Cards: Nusa
Red Cards: None
