2026 World Cup: Norway knock out Ivory Coast as Haaland delivers at the death
Ivory Coast believed for a long time. The Elephants hit back after Antonio Nusa’s goal and looked as if they had seized control in the final 15 minutes. But four minutes from time, Erling Haaland arrived at the far post to snatch a 2-1 win for Norway and send them into the last 16, where Brazil now await.
A first half more open than the score suggested
The game never looked like a dead rubber. Haaland went close early on with a header for Norway, while Ivory Coast answered through Nicolas Pepe and Yan Diomande, both lively down the flanks. Chances came and went, although the two goalkeepers kept their clean sheets intact at first.
Five minutes before the break, Antonio Nusa broke the deadlock. Cutting in from the left, the winger drove into the middle before curling a shot beyond Yahia Fofana. The Scandinavians were ahead, even though the Ivorians had probably produced their best spell since kick-off.
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Diallo dragged them back into it, Haaland had the final say
After the interval, Ivory Coast did not change tack. Emerse Fae’s side kept attacking, and their persistence eventually paid off. Picked out by Nicolas Pepe after a one-two, Amad Diallo beat several defenders before beating Orjan Nyland with a crisp finish. At 1-1, the match was wide open again. The Elephants and Norway both started leaving gaps, and every attack felt like it could decide the tie.
The winner came from a Patrick Berg cross. In the box, Haaland had shaken off his marker. The ball found him and the striker only had to finish from point-blank range. Quiet for long spells, he still turned up when his team needed him most. Ivory Coast pushed for one last equaliser. In stoppage time, Amad Diallo won a dangerous free-kick, but Nyland got across to gather it and keep Norway in front until the final whistle.
Norway will face Brazil in the next round. For the Elephants, it is all over after a match where finishing power made the difference.
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