Haaland fires Norway past Ivory Coast

Erling Haaland delivered when it mattered most as Norway edged Ivory Coast 2-1 to reach the World Cup round of 16. Antonio Nusa opened the scoring with a superb curling finish late in the first half, but Ivory Coast fought back after the interval and levelled through Amad Diallo’s composed strike in the 73rd minute.

Norway had started brightly, with Haaland threatening inside three minutes and Alexander Sorloth providing constant support. Ivory Coast responded through Nicolas Pepe’s dangerous runs and Yan Diomande’s set‑piece deliveries, forcing Orjan Nyland into several key saves. After the cooling break, both sides traded chances, but Norway struck first through Nusa’s moment of quality.

Diallo’s equaliser set up a tense finale, yet Haaland settled the contest in the 86th minute, racing onto Patrick Berg’s pass before finishing clinically past Yahia Fofana. Ivory Coast’s late push fell short, sealing Norway’s progression to a highly anticipated showdown with Brazil.