Erling Haaland struck in the closing stages to send Norway into the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast. After surviving a second-half comeback, the Scandinavians booked a blockbuster meeting with Brazil in the next round.

Norway Took the Lead Against the Run of Play

Ivory Coast looked the sharper side early on and enjoyed the better attacking moments without making them count. Ghislain Konan fired into the side netting, while Nicolas Pépé and Franck Kessié both struggled to find the final touch inside the penalty area.

Norway, meanwhile, created very little before the break. Haaland tested Yahia Fofana with a pair of headers, but neither effort seriously threatened the Ivorian goalkeeper.

The breakthrough arrived just before halftime through a moment of individual brilliance. Antonio Nusa collected the ball on the left, drifted inside past several defenders and curled a superb finish into the far corner to hand Norway a 1-0 advantage.

Diallo Sparked Hope

The African side emerged with far greater intensity after the interval and quickly began putting Norway under pressure.

Before finding the equaliser, Ivory Coast were rescued at the opposite end when Amad Diallo cleared Kristoffer Ajer's goal-bound effort off the line. Moments later, the Manchester United winger produced a piece of magic himself, combining with Pépé before weaving through the defence and calmly slotting home to level the score.

Haaland Had the Final Word

When extra time beginning to look inevitable, Norway produced one decisive attack. Oscar Bobb released Patrick Berg, whose perfectly weighted pass found Haaland inside the box. The striker made no mistake, finishing clinically to restore Norway's lead in the dying minutes.

Ivory Coast still had one final opportunity in stoppage time, but Ørjan Nyland brilliantly denied Diallo's dangerous free-kick to preserve the victory.

The win sends Norway into the last 16, where they will face one of the tournament favourites, Brazil, in what promises to be one of the standout ties of the knockout stage. It's worth noting that Norway is currently the first European country to advance to the round of 16. France or Sweden will soon join them.

For Ivory Coast, meanwhile, the defeat brings an end to an encouraging World Cup campaign, with the Ivorians falling just short of reaching the next round.