Erling Haaland's Late Strike Sends Norway Past Ivory Coast Into World Cup Last 16
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Norway returned to World Cup knockout football after a long 28-year gap, and the occasion turned out to be unforgettable. They edged a tough Ivory Coast side 2-1 in the round of 32, with star striker Erling Haaland scoring the winner deep in the second half.
For more than half an hour, the match was tense and goalless. This was surprising because Norway had been one of the tournament's most dangerous attacking teams, scoring 45 goals across qualifying and the group stage, with Haaland personally responsible for 20 of them. Ivory Coast, on the other hand, had built a reputation as an defensive fortress, having not conceded a single goal in their ten qualifying matches.
That defensive record finally cracked in the 37th minute, when young winger Antonio Nusa danced past three defenders and curled a brilliant shot into the net, giving Norway the lead.
Ivory Coast did not fold. They came out firing in the second half, attempting far more shots than before, and their pressure paid off in the 74th minute when Amad Diallo skipped past two Norwegian defenders and slotted home a clinical equaliser. At 1-1, it looked like the game was heading into extra time, with Ivory Coast appearing to have the momentum.
But Norway had one more move left. Oscar Bobb threaded a sharp pass through Ivory Coast's defence to teammate Patrick Berg, who calmly squared the ball across goal. Haaland, ever present in the right spot, finished it off to complete the comeback and seal a 2-1 victory just before the match would have gone to extra time.
The win means Norway advances to the round of 16, where they will face football giants Brazil. For a country that had not tasted World Cup knockout success in nearly three decades, this victory marks a major milestone and signals that Norway's golden generation, led by Haaland, Nusa, and captain Martin Odegaard, is ready to compete with the best in the world.
Why it matters
This match matters because it shows the arrival of a new, dangerous Norwegian team built around generational talents like Haaland and Nusa, ending a 28-year knockout drought for the country. It also highlights how even the most disciplined defensive teams, like Ivory Coast, can be undone by moments of individual brilliance. With Norway now set to face Brazil, the result adds intrigue to the World Cup's knockout stage and raises questions about whether Norway can continue its surprising run against one of football's most successful nations.
Test yourself
1. What was the final score of the Norway vs Ivory Coast match?
2. Who scored the winning goal for Norway?
3. How long had it been since Norway last played in a World Cup knockout match before this game?
4. Who scored Norway's first goal in the match?
5. What was notable about Ivory Coast's defensive record before this match?
6. Who scored Ivory Coast's equalising goal?
7. Which player provided the pass that led to Haaland's winning goal?
8. How many goals had Haaland scored before this match in qualifying and group stage combined?
9. Which team will Norway face next in the Round of 16?
10. What quality did Erling Haaland say he enjoys about football, according to the article?
Your notes
Source: The Indian Express