World Cup: Norway through to round of 16 as Ivory Coast crash out

Erling Haaland scored an 86th minute winner to send Norway into the round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast at the Dallas stadium.

The Viking nation was led into victory by its biggest export in recent times, as Haaland struck the decisive blow after Antonio Nusa’s early strike was cancelled by Ahmad Diallo’s second half equalizer.

It marked the first time Norway will win a knockout round match in the World Cup as their fairytale tournament continued. For Ivory Coast, it was another tale of what could have been with missed chances in a match the Elephants failed to display attacking efficiency.

Norway took the lead on 39 minutes when Nusa controlled a Martin Odegaard pass and planted a curling shot into the top corner of the net to give Norway a 1-0 halftime lead.

The Ivoirians came back on level terms with a moment of magic from Amad who scored his second goal of the tournament. The Manchester United winger exchanged passes with Nicolas Pepe, before he jinked past a defender and applied a cool finish into the far corner.

Haaland, however proved the matchwinner as Norway caught a sleeping Ivory Coast defence off guard with a pass to Patrick Berg and the forward found Haaland who tapped into the back of the net.

Haaland has now scored five goals in the 2026 World Cup, and Norway will face Brazil in the round of 16 at the MetLife stadium in New York/New Jersey.

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