Norway down Ivory Coast 2-1 with Haaland decisive and set up a last-16 tie with Brazil
Nusa put Norway ahead, Amad Diallo levelled and Haaland struck the winner in the 86th to send the Scandinavians into the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup in Arlington.
Norway booked their place in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup by beating Ivory Coast 2-1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the climate-controlled colossus in the Dallas area famed for its retractable roof and one of the most spectacular video screens on the planet. More than 80,000 spectators backed a demanding round-of-32 tie at this 48-team World Cup staged by the United States, Mexico and Canada, a knockout clash settled by Scandinavian finishing in the closing stages.
Norway struck first. In the 39th minute, Antonio Nusa finished from a Martin Ødegaard pass to put Ståle Solbakken's side ahead, set up in a 4-3-3 with Erling Haaland as the focal point and captain Ødegaard pulling the strings. The Nordic lead held until well into the second half.
Ivory Coast, far from giving up, were rewarded for their persistence. In the 74th minute, Amad Diallo levelled from a Nicolas Pépé pass to fire up Emerse Faé's Elephants, lined up in a 4-1-4-1 with Yahia Fofana in goal and the experience of Franck Kessié and Ibrahim Sangaré in midfield. The goal restored parity in a game that had been slipping away from the Africans.
But just as the tie looked headed for extra time, the star appeared. In the 86th minute, Erling Haaland finished off a move set up by Patrick Berg to seal a 2-1 win and spark Norwegian joy. The striker decided a tight contest and sent his nation through. The match's only booking had fallen on Nusa in first-half stoppage time (45+1).
Despite the defeat, winger Amad Diallo was named man of the match for his commitment and his goal, scant consolation for an Ivory Coast side that bow out of the 2026 World Cup after going toe-to-toe with one of the tournament's surprise packages.
Norway, back on the World Cup stage with a generation led by Haaland and Ødegaard, advance to the round of 16, where a heavyweight clash with Brazil awaits. The Scandinavians confirm their ambition in a single-elimination phase that allows no mistakes.