Norway Edges Ivory Coast 2–1 to Advance to World Cup Last 16
Erling Haaland scored a late winner as Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2–1 to secure a Round of 16 clash against Brazil at the 2026 World Cup.
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Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2–1 in a tightly contested World Cup Round of 16 qualifier, booking a spot in the knockout stage. Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal in the closing stages, sealing a dramatic victory for the Scandinavian side.
The match, played in front of a packed stadium, saw Norway advance to face Brazil in New York on Sunday. Haaland's goal marked his fifth of the tournament, reinforcing his status as one of the competition’s most lethal strikers. According to Al Jazeera, the Manchester City forward tapped home the winning goal after a sustained period of pressure in the second half.
Haaland’s late strike broke Ivorian resistance, as described by Nigeria’s This Day newspaper, which noted the emotional toll on the African side. The victory sets up a high-profile showdown with Brazil, with Norway aiming to continue their deep run in the tournament.
Norway’s progression marks a significant achievement in their World Cup campaign. The match against Brazil will be their first in the knockout rounds since the 2026 qualifiers concluded. Both teams are expected to field strong lineups, with global attention focused on the clash.