Erling Haaland bundled in a dramatic winner with four minutes remaining as Norway defeated Côte d'Ivoire 2-1 to reach the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in their history. The victory vindicated coach Ståle Solbakken's controversial decision to rest almost his entire side in the final group game against France.
Solbakken's Gamble Pays Off
Solbakken had drawn stiff criticism for fielding a weakened team against France, particularly from fans who had paid hundreds of dollars to see Haaland face Kylian Mbappé. 'The decision would stand or fall on the result of this game,' Solbakken said. Norway's progression means his policy can be considered justified, though it was a close-run thing.
The Bodø/Glimt midfielder Patrick Berg was the only player to start both of Norway's past two matches, and it was he who teed up Haaland for the winner. Norway had taken a first-half lead through Antonio Nusa, but Côte d'Ivoire equalised through a stunning strike from substitute Amad Diallo.
Nusa Opens the Scoring
Norway took the lead six minutes before half-time. Martin Ødegaard slipped the ball wide for Nusa, who stepped inside Nicolas Pépé and bent a precise finish around goalkeeper Yahia Fofana into the corner. Norway seemed in control, with Côte d'Ivoire's possession proving sterile.
Côte d'Ivoire had started impressively, dominating possession without creating clear-cut chances. Nicolas Pépé, now at Villarreal, showed the directness that rarely surfaced during his time at Arsenal, but his best opportunity came from a Yan Diomande cross at the back post, volleying across goal rather than on target. Kristoffer Ajer hacked the ball over the bar.
Diallo's Stunning Intervention
With 16 minutes remaining, Diallo produced a moment of magic. He picked up the ball on the right, played a sharp one-two with Pépé that took three Norwegians out of the game, swayed past a fourth, then bounced a finish past Ørjan Nyland. The goal revived the spirit of Les Revenants, the nickname for Côte d'Ivoire's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations-winning side that defied the odds.
Diallo had earlier made a remarkable clearance to keep out a Torbjørn Heggem volley, denying a certain goal. The nature of his block and the brilliance of his equaliser might have caused Norwegian heads to drop, but Berg and Haaland dragged the game back.
Haaland's Winner
With four minutes remaining, Haaland bundled the ball in from close range. He may have mis-hit it, but none of the Norway fans packed behind the goal cared. Norway progressed to a last-16 tie against Brazil in New York/New Jersey.
In injury time, Nyland made a superb flailing save to keep out a Diallo free-kick, ensuring Norway's victory. The Norwegian longboat rows on.
Historic Achievement for Both Sides
For both sides, this was rare territory. Neither had ever previously won a knockout game at a World Cup. Côte d'Ivoire, largely because of a series of brutal draws, had never previously got through the group stage despite winning a game at every World Cup they have attended. Norway had played only two knockout games: in 1938 when there was no group stage, and in 1998. On both occasions they lost to Italy.
Norway played a game with which they are unfamiliar. This generation has been so free-scoring that they tend to blow opponents away. Sitting in, defending, enduring, surviving has not been their style. But they did it, and it worked. Whether a more penetrative side than Côte d'Ivoire might have made more of their possession will soon become apparent; Brazil will offer a major test of their resolve.
Côte d'Ivoire's Ongoing Issues
Côte d'Ivoire's lack of precision and cutting edge has persisted since their AFCON triumph. Their 3-2 defeat by Egypt in the Cup of Nations quarter-final in January was typical: lots of possession, lots of opportunities, and not much in the way of actual goal threat. This match followed the same pattern.
Despite dominating possession, Côte d'Ivoire struggled to create clear chances. As against Germany, when they lost 2-1 after taking the lead, they started impressively but could not convert dominance into goals.
