Haaland sends Norway past Ivory Coast with late World Cup winner

Erling Haaland barely had the night he wanted, then decided it anyway. Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in their World Cup knockout tie after Haaland struck four minutes from time, turning a tense match in Texas into a landmark night for Norwegian football. Antonio Nusa had put Norway ahead before Amad Diallo dragged Ivory Coast level with a superb solo goal, but the final word belonged to the striker who had spent long spells starved of service.

What We Know So Far

Norway are through after winning a World Cup knockout match for the first time. The result also ended Ivory Coast's campaign after their first appearance in this stage, with the match swinging sharply in the final quarter as Diallo's introduction changed the rhythm before Haaland restored Norway's lead.

The opening goal came six minutes before half-time. Martin Ødegaard slipped the ball wide to Nusa, who cut inside and curled a precise finish past Yahia Fofana. It was the sort of individual quality Norway needed, because Ivory Coast had enjoyed long spells of pressure through Nicolas Pépé and Yan Diomande without turning that possession into enough clear chances.

Diallo was left out of the starting XI, but his impact from the bench was immediate and dramatic. He cleared Kristoffer Heggem's effort off the line, then levelled with a sharp one-two with Pépé, a run through Norway's defence and a composed left-footed finish. The Manchester United winger also nearly forced extra time with a late free-kick, only for Ørjan Nyland to make a decisive save.

Haaland's winner came from a move involving Oscar Bobb and Patrick Berg. Berg squared the ball to the striker, who finished from close range despite not connecting cleanly. The goal was Haaland's fifth of the tournament and, according to the live reports, his 60th international goal in 53 Norway appearances. The Athletic also reported that he has scored in 14 competitive matches in a row for Norway.

What People Are Saying

The result vindicated Norway coach Ståle Solbakken's decision to rest almost his entire side in the final group game against France, a move The Guardian reported had drawn criticism from fans who had paid to see a potential Haaland versus Kylian Mbappé showdown. Only Patrick Berg started both Norway's last two matches, and he went on to set up the winner.

There was also focus on Diallo's role. The Athletic described the feeling around his performance as one that showed he should have started, after he made things happen, cleared one off the line and scored one of the standout goals of the tournament. For Ivory Coast, that will sharpen questions about selection, because their most dangerous attacking spell came only after he entered the game.

Wayne Rooney, working as a BBC pundit according to The Athletic's live coverage, added a lighter note by pledging to do the Norway row down the River Mersey if Norway reach the quarter-finals. Norway's squad and staff later joined their fans in the rowing celebration, with Ødegaard and a drum at the centre of the scene.

How This Affects You

For football fans in Britain, the result matters because it shapes a knockout path packed with Premier League connections. Haaland and Ødegaard remain central to Norway's run, while Diallo exits after a performance that Manchester United supporters will have followed closely. TNT Sports also reported that the winner of Norway's next match could face England in the quarter-final if England beat DR Congo.

The match also changes the tournament's tone. Norway were clear favourites in Opta's pre-match simulations, cited by Al Jazeera, with a 56.1 percent chance of winning in normal time. They still needed late precision and a major save from Nyland to survive, which says plenty about how fine the margins have become in the expanded knockout format.

For Ivory Coast, the defeat is painful because it followed a pattern noted by The Guardian: spells of possession, dangerous wide play and not enough cutting edge. After winning the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 2024, they arrived with belief, but their World Cup run ended with chances left behind.

Coming Up

Norway will face Brazil in New York/New Jersey on July 5 for a place in the quarter-finals. The Athletic noted that Brazil have played Norway four times and have never beaten them. The next match will test whether Norway's physicality, directness and Haaland's timing can hold up against a more penetrative opponent.

At a Glance

• Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in their World Cup knockout tie.
• Antonio Nusa opened the scoring with a curling first-half finish.
• Amad Diallo equalised after coming off the bench and also cleared a Norway effort off the line.
• Erling Haaland scored the late winner, his fifth goal of the tournament.
• Norway now face Brazil in New York/New Jersey on July 5.