01 July,2026 06:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Erling Haaland (Pic: AFP)
Erling Haaland's late heroics secured Norway a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, booking their spot in the Round of 16 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout match.
The Manchester City superstar further cemented his legendary status on the international stage by scoring the 86th-minute winner. Haaland slotted home his 60th international goal to continue his historic scoring streak at the tournament.
At the end of the first half, Norway snatched the advantage when Antonio Nusa cut inside from the left flank and unleashed a curling strike into the top corner.
The introduction of Amad Diallo transformed the second half. The substitute first made a crucial defensive intervention before gliding his way through the Norwegian penalty area to fire home a 74th-minute equaliser.
Ultimately, the night belonged to Man City star Haaland. With just four minutes left on the clock, Oscar Bobb linked up with Patrick Berg, who crossed the ball across the six-yard box for Haaland to tap home. The historic milestone places him in the elite company of legendary World Cup goalscorers like Gerd Müller, Eusébio, and Just Fontaine, setting up a blockbuster Round of 16 showdown against Brazil.
According to OptaPaolo, this marks the first time in football history that Norway has won a World Cup knockout match, having lost in their only two previous attempts in 1938 and 1998, both times against Italy.
The European side's opening goal in the 39th minute was a moment of magic from Nusa, who finished off a sequence initiated by skipper Martin Odegaard. At just 21 years old, Nusa also etched his name into the record books as Norway's youngest-ever goalscorer at a major tournament.
The African nations came back with character after the break, deservedly levelling the score through Man Utd star Diallo's brilliant individual effort. Even so, Norway found the perfect response in the dying embers of the game, courtesy of Haaland's predatory instincts inside the box.
Despite Ivory Coast committing everyone forward during a tense period of stoppage time, including a dangerous corner kick in the 92nd minute, the Norwegian defence stood firm to secure the victory.
(With ANI inputs)
