Erling Haaland waited until the 86th minute to settle it, converting a late chance to give Norway a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast at AT&T Stadium and a place in the next round of the 2026 World Cup. Antonio Nusa had given Stale Solbakken’s side the lead before halftime, and though Ivory Coast leveled through A. Diallo in the 74th minute, Haaland’s finish proved decisive. Norway edged a match they largely controlled, finishing with an xG of 2.02 against Ivory Coast’s 1.36.
Key Moments
- 39′, Nusa opens the scoring for Norway with a normal goal, giving Solbakken’s side a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
- 45′, Nusa picks up a yellow card for tripping just before halftime, a caution that would factor into his eventual substitution.
- 60′, Ivory Coast make a double substitution, bringing on fresh legs in an effort to find an equalizer.
- 71′, Norway withdraw both Sørloth and the booked Nusa, managing the risk while protecting their lead.
- 74′, Diallo equalizes for Ivory Coast, pulling the Elephants level and setting up a tense final quarter-hour.
- 86′, Haaland restores Norway’s lead with four minutes to play, finishing to make it 2-1 and ultimately clinch the win.
Tactical Breakdown
Norway controlled the game from the front, holding 53% possession and completing 88% of their passes. They kept their shot volume disciplined, taking only nine total attempts, but concentrated them well: eight came from inside the box, and four hit the target. That efficiency, reflected in a 2.02 xG, meant Solbakken’s side were always the likelier winners even after conceding.
The double substitution at 71 minutes was the key tactical moment. With Nusa on a yellow card, Norway chose to protect him and reshuffled the attack. Ivory Coast had just made their own changes at 60 minutes and were finding a foothold in the match, which made the Diallo equalizer at 74 feel like a genuine threat. Norway’s response was direct: they absorbed the pressure and found Haaland in a position to finish twelve minutes later.
Ivory Coast generated the more frenetic attacking output statistically, 14 total shots and 14 corner kicks, but much of it was volume without precision. Only five of their 14 attempts were on target, and Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland made four saves to keep the deficit at one. The Elephants’ xG of 1.36 told the story: enough to score once, but not enough to win.
Player Ratings
World Cup knockout bracket
Knockout results, aggregate scores across legs; winners in bold, penalty shootouts noted.
Head to Head
Verdict
Norway advance to the next round of the 2026 World Cup with a performance that was pragmatic rather than spectacular. Ivory Coast pushed hard after the break and deserved their equalizer, but Haaland’s late finish underlined the difference in clinical quality. Solbakken’s side will face a sterner test in the next round, but a 2-1 win in knockout football is all that ever counts.