Norway defeats Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 with a late Erling Haaland goal, securing their spot in the World Cup 2026 Last 16. Coach Solbakken’s strategy pays off.
Norway secured a 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire, advancing to the last 16 of the World Cup 2026. The win came after a late goal from Erling Haaland, following an equaliser from Amad Diallo for Côte d’Ivoire. This result vindicated coach Ståle Solbakken’s decision to rest key players in their previous group game against France, a move that had drawn criticism from some fans.
Norway will now face Brazil in a last-16 tie at New York New Jersey Stadium. The fixture will also feature a notable encounter between Gabriel Magalhães and Haaland.
Match Highlights and Key Moments
Norway initially took the lead in the first half through Antonio Nusa. Nusa received the ball on the edge of the area and delivered a precise finish into the top-right corner, bending it around Yahia Fofana. This goal, scored in the 39th minute, came somewhat against the run of play, as Côte d’Ivoire had dominated possession and created several attacking opportunities.
Côte d’Ivoire had started the match impressively, similar to their performance against Germany, where they eventually lost 2-1 after taking an early lead. Their threat primarily came down the flanks, with players like Nicolas Pépé, now with Villarreal, displaying directness and verve. Despite their possession, clear chances were irregular for Côte d’Ivoire.
The equaliser for Côte d’Ivoire came with about 16 minutes remaining in regular time, courtesy of substitute Amad Diallo. Diallo picked up the ball on the right, executed a sharp one-two with Pépé, and then maneuvered past several Norwegian defenders before striking the ball past Ørjan Nyland. Before his goal, Diallo had also made a crucial clearance on the goal line, preventing a certain goal from a Torbjørn Heggem volley following a corner from Martin Ødegaard.
Côte d’Ivoire’s head coach, Emerse Faé, commented on Diallo’s impact, noting that they knew he would provide a significant contribution upon entering the game. The team, known as Les Revenants, had previously shown a resilient spirit, notably winning the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 2024 despite losing two group games and changing their manager during the tournament.
Dramatic Finish and Solbakken’s Strategy
The game intensified after Diallo’s equaliser, with both teams pushing for a winner. Norway’s decisive moment arrived with four minutes left in the match when Erling Haaland bundled in the winning goal. The striker, who had been largely uninvolved for much of the game, arrived in front of goal to convert a cross from Patrick Berg, leaving the Ivorian defense unable to react.
Solbakken praised Haaland, referring to him as the greatest goalscorer in the world and highlighting his composure and ability to hold up the ball. He also noted Haaland’s achievement of scoring five goals in the World Cup for a smaller nation like Norway.
The Norwegian coach’s strategy of resting players in the final group game was a significant gamble. Patrick Berg, a midfielder from Bodø/Glimt, was the only player to start both of Norway’s last two matches and was instrumental in setting up Haaland’s winner. This victory marks a rare achievement for Norway, as they have only played two knockout games in World Cup history before this, losing both times to Italy.
In the dying minutes of the game, Diallo nearly brought Côte d’Ivoire back into contention again with a powerful free-kick, but Ørjan Nyland made an acrobatic save to deny him. The final whistle confirmed Norway’s 2-1 triumph, securing their place in the next round.
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Source: theguardian.com
