Erling Haaland delivered yet another decisive moment on the global stage, firing an 86th-minute winner as Erling Haaland guided Norway into the World Cup Round of 16 with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Ivory Coast at Dallas Stadium.
The Manchester City forward’s fifth goal of the tournament proved the difference in a tightly contested encounter that swung dramatically in the closing stages.
Norway had taken the lead just before halftime when Antonio Nusa produced a moment of quality, curling a precise finish into the top corner after being set up by Martin Ødegaard’s intelligent pass. Martin Ødegaard had been central to Norway’s growing control after a bright start from the Ivorians.
Ivory Coast, however, refused to fade. After threatening through Nicolas Pépé and Ghislain Konan in the opening exchanges, they eventually found a way back into the contest when Amad Diallo made a telling impact from the bench. Amad Diallo combined sharply in the final third before unleashing a powerful low strike that bounced beyond the goalkeeper to level the match midway through the second half.
The equaliser shifted momentum briefly, with Ivory Coast pushing for a potential winner. But Norway’s composure in the final minutes proved decisive.
Deep into the closing stages, substitute Oscar Bobb played a key role in the decisive move, sliding a pass into Patrick Berg inside the box. Berg teed up Haaland, who was left with a simple finish into an empty net after the goalkeeper was drawn out of position.
Ivory Coast nearly forced extra time, but goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland produced a crucial stoppage-time save to deny Amad’s curling free kick and preserve Norway’s narrow advantage.
The result sends Norway into the last 16, while Ivory Coast exit the tournament after a spirited performance that ultimately fell short against Norway’s clinical edge in decisive moments.
