Antonio Nusa’s first-half solo strike and a late Erling Haaland tap-in secured a 2-1 victory in Dallas, ending Ivory Coast’s historic tournament run.
DALLAS, June 30 — Erling Haaland struck an 86th-minute winner to send Norway into the World Cup round of 16 with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on Tuesday. The result eliminates the African side and sets up a knockout clash between the Norwegians and tournament favourites Brazil.
Norway arrived at Dallas Stadium playing in their first World Cup since 1998, while Ivory Coast, managed by Emerse Fae, were making their first-ever appearance in the knockout stages of the competition.
The match sparked to life in the 39th minute when 21-year-old Norwegian winger Antonio Nusa broke the deadlock. Nusa delivered a stunning solo goal to put Ståle Solbakken’s side ahead, cementing his place as Norway’s youngest scorer at a major tournament. The winger was booked shortly after, just before the half-time whistle.
Ivory Coast struggled to contain Norway’s early momentum but stayed in the contest through disciplined defending from a backline anchored by Odilon Kossounou and Emmanuel Agbadou.
Recognising the need for an attacking spark, Fae went to his bench in the 59th minute, bringing on Elye Wahi for Ange-Yoan Bonny and introducing Amad Diallo in place of Christ Inao Oulaï. The changes shifted the momentum. Diallo found the breakthrough in the 74th minute, firing an equaliser past Norwegian goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland to bring the Elephants level.
Solbakken countered with his own tactical adjustments, having already swapped Nusa and Alexander Sørloth for Andreas Schjelderup and Oscar Bobb. Fredrik Aursnes was also introduced in the 82nd minute to stabilise the midfield.
For much of the evening, Ivory Coast successfully isolated Haaland. The Manchester City striker had endured a quiet first half, starved of service and closely monitored by the Ivorian defence. That changed four minutes from regular time. Midfielder Patrick Berg found space to drive towards the box and slipped a precise pass to Haaland. The forward converted the tap-in to restore Norway’s lead.
The goal carried historic weight. It was Haaland’s fifth of the tournament — adding to the braces he scored against Iraq and Senegal in the group stage — and his 60th international goal overall, making him the fastest player in history to reach that mark.
Ivory Coast threw players forward in a desperate bid to force extra time. Oumar Diakité, Evann Guessand, and Bazoumana Touré were all introduced in the dying minutes as the African side mounted late pressure. Norway held firm through stoppage time to seal the victory.
Norway advance to the last 16 to face Brazil, carrying the momentum of three wins from four matches and a striker operating at peak efficiency. Ivory Coast head home.
