On Tuesday, Norway triumphed over Ivory Coast with a 2-1 victory in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, held at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas. This win secured their spot in the tournament's Round of 16.
The match was a thrilling back-and-forth encounter, ultimately decided in the final moments. Antonio Nusa put the Norwegians ahead in the 39th minute with a powerful shot, giving them the lead at halftime. However, the RB Leipzig winger received a yellow card right before the whistle, impacting his ability to continue aggressively in the game.
Ivory Coast responded in the second half by making two substitutions in the 60th minute. The newly introduced Amad Diallo seized the opportunity to score the equalizer in the 74th minute, marking the highlight of the African team's performance. Despite dominating with corner kicks (12 compared to three) and generating more total shots (12 compared to nine), they couldn't maintain the pressure.
Norway countered with their own substitutions: Sørloth and Nusa were replaced by Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup in the 71st minute. It was Erling Haaland, who had remained on the field, who emerged as the hero. In the 86th minute, he netted the decisive 2-1 goal, leaving no time for the Ivory Coast to respond.
The match statistics reveal a well-balanced game: Ivory Coast held 46% possession compared to Norway's 54%, with both teams achieving four shots on target and committing six fouls each. Nusa's yellow card was the sole caution issued during the match.
Despite this loss, Ivory Coast made history by advancing past the group stage for the first time, finishing second in Group E with six points. However, their journey ends here.
Norway, meanwhile, returns to the World Cup's Round of 16 for the first time since 1998, 28 years later. Haaland, with five goals in the tournament so far — four from the group stage and one in this knockout round — is proving to be one of the top scorers of this edition.
The Norwegians will face Brazil on July 5 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking their next significant challenge in this World Cup.
Key Insights on Norway's World Cup Journey
How did Norway secure their win against Ivory Coast?
Norway won against Ivory Coast with a 2-1 scoreline, thanks to goals from Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland, with Haaland scoring the decisive goal in the 86th minute.
What was Ivory Coast's performance like in the match?
Ivory Coast performed strongly, dominating corner kicks and total shots, and managed to equalize through Amad Diallo. However, they couldn't sustain the pressure and conceded a late goal.
When will Norway play their next match, and against whom?
Norway is set to play Brazil on July 5 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in the Round of 16 of the World Cup.
How has Erling Haaland performed in this tournament?
Erling Haaland has been exceptional, scoring five goals so far in the tournament, showcasing why he's considered one of the top scorers of this World Cup edition.