Erling Haaland produced another decisive moment on the World Cup stage, scoring a dramatic late winner as Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 to book a place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Manchester City striker struck in the 86th minute in Dallas to send Norway into a blockbuster last-16 clash against five-time world champions Brazil at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 5.
Norway had taken the lead in the 39th minute through Antonio Nusa, whose moment of individual brilliance broke the deadlock. The 21-year-old RB Leipzig winger dribbled into the penalty area from the left, shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled a stunning effort into the far top corner beyond the Ivorian goalkeeper.
Ivory Coast, however, dominated large spells of the contest and were rewarded in the 74th minute when substitute Amad equalised after sustained second-half pressure. The Elephants looked the more likely side to find a winner and force extra time as they continued to create the better chances.
But with four minutes remaining, Haaland once again demonstrated his reputation as one of world football’s deadliest finishers. Patrick Berg’s incisive pass found the striker inside the box, and although his finish was mishit, it had enough power to squeeze over the goal line and hand Norway victory.
The goal added another chapter to Haaland’s remarkable international career. The 25-year-old became the first player to score in each of his first three FIFA World Cup appearances and the fastest footballer to reach 60 international goals, achieving the feat in just 53 matches.
Although Haaland was largely kept quiet for much of the encounter, Norway’s disciplined tactical approach required patience rather than constant involvement from their star forward.
Playmaker Martin Ødegaard frequently searched for Haaland with ambitious passes, while Marcus Holmgren Pedersen and Andreas Schjelderup were unable to provide the quality service needed to unlock the Ivorian defence.
When the decisive opportunity finally arrived, Haaland made it count, ensuring Norway progressed to the knockout stage, where Brazil await in one of the most anticipated Round of 16 fixtures of the tournament.
(The Whistler)
