Erling Haaland scored a dramatic late winner as Norway defeated Ivory Coast in Dallas to secure a World Cup last-16 showdown with Brazil.
The Manchester City striker had been kept quiet until the 86th minute of a tense encounter that looked destined for extra time after second-half substitute Amad Diallo cancelled out Antonio Nusa’s brilliant opener.
But Haaland found space in the six-yard box to bobble home Patrick Berg’s cutback, extending his remarkable scoring streak to 13 successive competitive internationals.
The victory marks the first time Norway have ever won a World Cup knockout match.
Super-sub Amad sparks Ivorian fightback
Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae raised eyebrows before kick-off by opting for a defensive 4-1-4-1 formation, surprisingly leaving Diallo on the bench.
The cautious approach stifled the West Africans’ creativity, allowing Norway to take the lead in the 39th minute. While much of the pre-match focus was on Haaland, it was his 21-year-old strike partner Nusa who illuminated the first half, cutting in from the left wing to curl a sublime right-footed effort into the top corner.
Fae turned to Diallo after the break, and the Manchester United winger almost single-handedly dragged his side back into the contest.
Moments after making a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Norway defender Torbjorn Heggem from close range, Diallo produced a moment of magic at the other end. The 23-year-old cut inside from the right flank, beat two defenders, and slotted home his second goal of the tournament.
But in a World Cup increasingly defined by its elite forwards, Haaland had the final say, capitalising on late pressure to send Norway through to a historic meeting with five-time champions Brazil.
Add Comment