Mehmet Ali Arslan Media Group (Newspaper) — The knockout stage thrill of the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to deliver high stakes drama. In a fierce Round of 32 clash, Norway edged out Ivory Coast with a 2-1 victory, securing their well-deserved spot in the Round of 16.
Match Highlights
The encounter saw both sides fighting relentlessly for a place in the next round. Norway broke the deadlock early on, with Musa putting the Scandinavian side ahead. However, Ivory Coast refused to back down, finding an equalizer through a clinical strike by Amad Diallo.
For the Elephants, Oulai was substituted after 60 minutes of play, while defensive powerhouse Agbadou and midfielder Fofana played the full 90 minutes.
Haaland Strikes Late to Seal the Victory
As the match seemed destined for extra time, Norway's talismanic striker Erling Haaland stepped up when it mattered most. In the 86th minute, Haaland found the back of the net to secure the 2-1 victory and send his country through.
Haaland's Historic Run: With this decisive goal, the prolific forward has now scored in 13 consecutive matches for Norway, bringing his total tally in this World Cup tournament to 5 goals.
Norway now moves on to the Round of 16, carrying immense momentum as Haaland continues his historic scoring streak on the world's biggest stage.
