Erling Haaland Fires Norway into Last 16 with Dramatic Winner Against Côte d'Ivoire

Dallas, Texas – Erling Haaland scored an 86th-minute winner as Norway beat Côte d'Ivoire 2-1 to secure a place in the last 16, vindicating coach Ståle Solbakken's controversial decision to rest almost his entire side in the final group game against France.

Solbakken had taken a major gamble in resting almost his entire side against France, drawing stiff criticism, not least from those who had paid hundreds of dollars to witness a showdown between Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. As Solbakken said, the decision would stand or fall on the result of this game.

Norway are in the last 16, players and fans celebrating with a communal Viking row led by Martin Ødegaard, and therefore his policy can be considered justified.

It was, though, a mightily close-run thing. Having taken a first-half lead through Antonio Nusa, Norway had seemed to be in control, Côte d'Ivoire's possession sterile. But then Amad Diallo produced one of the great substitute interventions, making a remarkable clearance to keep out a Torbjørn Heggem volley before scoring a stunning equaliser. But with four minutes remaining, Haaland bundled in the winner, his 60th goal in his 53rd appearance for his country.

Haaland's Decisive Moment

Haaland may have mis-hit it, the ball bouncing off him rather than him propelling it, but none of the Norway fans packed behind that goal cared as they progressed to a last-16 tie at New York New Jersey Stadium against Brazil. That's Brazil against the only international team they played against that they've never beaten, and Gabriel Magalhães against Haaland.

"He's the greatest goalscorer in the world," said Solbakken. "He brings coldness to the team. He's very underrated in terms of holding the ball up. To score five goals in the World Cup for a little country like Norway, I don't think even he thought he could do anything like that. I wouldn't swap him for anyone."

How the Match Unfolded

For both these sides this was rare territory. Côte d'Ivoire had never previously made it through the group at a World Cup, while 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. Making his changes was Solbakken's attempt to break that duck.

This was Norway playing a game with which they are unfamiliar. This generation has been so free-scoring that they have tended to blow opponents away. Sitting in, defending, enduring and surviving has not been their style. But they did it and it worked; although a more penetrative side than Côte d'Ivoire might have made more of their possession.

Nusa's Stunning Opener

The opening goal, when it came six minutes before the break, was from a Norwegian wide forward. Ødegaard slipped the ball wide for Nusa, who stepped inside Pépé, and bent a precise finish around Yahia Fofana. It was an absolute peach – an unstoppable curling effort into the top-right corner that gave Côte d'Ivoire's keeper no chance.

Côte d'Ivoire had been the better side, but they were trailing thanks to an absolute stunner from Nusa.

Diallo's Heroics: Clearance and Equaliser

With 16 minutes remaining, Diallo picked the ball up 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. But before that, he had made a remarkable clearance to keep out a Torbjørn Heggem volley that looked destined for the back of the net.

"We knew he would give us a lot when he came in and that's what happened," said Côte d'Ivoire coach Emerse Faé, dismissing suggestions that he should have started the Manchester United forward.

The game suddenly was alive again. The thought was that the spirit of Les Revenants was back – a team that didn't know when it was finished. The nature of Diallo's block from Heggem, denying a certain goal, and the brilliant nature of his own strike might have caused Norwegian heads to drop, for a sense to descend that it was not their day.

Haaland's Winner and Nyland's Save

But Berg and Haaland dragged the game back. Bobb cut in from the right and slipped in Berg down the inside-right channel. Berg crossed low, and with the keeper having been drawn across, Haaland couldn't miss from six yards. He tried his best to miss, not getting a great contact, the ball dribbling over the line, but he did enough!

In stoppage time, Nyland made a superb flailing save to keep out a Diallo free-kick. It was heading in, but Nyland got a strong hand to it, turning it around the post, and nothing came of the resulting corner.

What's Next: Norway vs Brazil

Norway will face Brazil in the last 16 at New York New Jersey Stadium – a mouthwatering matchup between two of the tournament's most exciting teams. The statistic that will give Norway hope: Brazil have never beaten Norway in international football.

As Haaland wandered around with a Viking helmet on, wearing an expression of high amusement, it was clear he was living his best life. The Norwegian longboat rows on.

"Every man from 100 years to two years old is rowing now," said Solbakken.