Haaland Fires Norway into Last 16 with Dramatic Late Winner
Erling Haaland did what Erling Haaland does — score when it matters most. The Manchester City striker bundled home a scrappy winner with four minutes remaining to send Norway into the World Cup Round of 16 with a 2–1 victory over Côte d'Ivoire at Dallas Stadium. The goal, his 60th in 53 appearances for his country, extended a scoring rate that borders on the absurd and kept Norway's dream of a deep tournament run very much alive.
A First Half of Control
Norway entered the match as slight favorites, and they played like it in the opening 45 minutes. Manager Ståle Solbakken had shuffled his lineup significantly — Patrick Berg of Bodø/Glimt was the only player to start both of Norway's last two matches — but the changes paid immediate dividends. Martin Ødegaard dictated proceedings from midfield, finding pockets of space and distributing with precision.
The breakthrough came six minutes before halftime when Ødegaard slipped the ball wide to Antonio Nusa. The young Leipzig winger stepped inside Nicolas Pépé and curled a precise finish around Côte d'Ivoire goalkeeper Yahia Fofana. It was a goal that rewarded Norway's patient buildup and highlighted the technical quality running through this Norwegian side.
Côte d'Ivoire's Possession Problem
Côte d'Ivoire, who had never previously advanced past a World Cup group stage, controlled large stretches of possession but struggled to translate it into clear-cut chances. This has become a recurring theme for Les Éléphants since their remarkable Africa Cup of Nations triumph on home soil in 2023. That tournament — in which they lost two group games, sacked their manager, and still lifted the trophy — earned them the nickname "Les Revenants" (The Returnees). But the magic has been harder to summon consistently since.
Nicolas Pépé, now plying his trade at Villarreal, showed flashes of the directness and flair that made him a star at Lille, driving at the Norwegian defense with purpose. But the final ball was often lacking. Manager Emerse Faé, who took over during that miraculous AFCON campaign, has been searching for a solution to his team's lack of cutting edge — a problem that resurfaced in their Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal defeat to Egypt in January.
Amad Diallo's Moment of Brilliance
With 16 minutes remaining and Norway looking comfortable, Amad Diallo changed everything. The Manchester United forward, introduced as a substitute, picked up the ball on the right and played a sharp one-two with Pépé that took three Norwegian defenders out of the game. He swayed past a fourth and bounced a finish past Ørjan Nyland. It was a goal of individual brilliance that breathed new life into the Ivorian campaign.
But Diallo's impact wasn't limited to scoring. Moments earlier, he had produced a remarkable goal-line clearance to deny Torbjørn Heggem a certain goal. For a brief spell, it looked as though the spirit of Les Revenants had returned — a team that refuses to know when it's beaten.
The Haaland Difference
Just when it seemed Norway might be haunted by what-ifs, their talisman stepped up. Patrick Berg threaded a pass through the Ivorian defense, and Haaland was there — in the right place at the right time. The ball bounced off him rather than being struck cleanly, but the result was the same: the net rippled, and Dallas erupted.
"Every man from 100 years to two years old is rowing now," Solbakken said afterward, referencing the Viking row celebration that swept through the stadium. The Norwegian manager was understandably effusive about his star striker: "He's the greatest goalscorer in the world. He brings coldness to the team. To score five goals in the World Cup for a little country like Norway — I don't think even he thought he could do anything like that. I wouldn't swap him for anyone."
Norway Grows Up
This match represented something of an evolution for Norway. This generation has been known for free-scoring, free-flowing football — blowing opponents away with attacking verve. But against Côte d'Ivoire, they showed they can win a different way: sitting in, defending, enduring, and surviving. It wasn't always pretty, but it was effective, and it may prove invaluable experience as the tournament deepens.
Norway's knockout record is minimal — they had played only two knockout matches before this tournament, in 1938 and 1998, both ending in defeat to Italy. Solbakken's willingness to rotate his squad and his tactical flexibility have been key to breaking that pattern.
What's Next: A Date with Brazil
The reward for Norway's victory is a Round of 16 clash at New York New Jersey Stadium against Brazil — a matchup rich with narrative. Remarkably, Brazil have never beaten Norway in international football, and the prospect of Gabriel Magalhães facing his Manchester City teammate Haaland adds an extra layer of intrigue. Haaland has scored five goals in the tournament so far, matching the exploits of the tournament's top marksmen.
For Côte d'Ivoire, there is disappointment but also pride. They made it out of a group for the first time in their history and pushed a talented Norway side to the limit. With young players like Diallo and a proven tactical hand in Faé, the building blocks are there for a sustained presence on the world stage.
As for Norway, the longboat rows on. Solbakken's side have shown they can win with flair and with grit — and with Haaland leading the line, they will believe they can beat anyone.
Source: The Guardian — Erling Haaland fires Norway into last 16 with dramatic winner against Côte d'Ivoire