Norway recorded the first knockout victory in their World Cup history, Erling Haaland's 86th-minute winner seeing off Ivory Coast 2-1 at AT&T Stadium. Back in the knockout rounds for the first time since 1998, Norway ended a 28-year wait and reached the last 16 on the back of their talisman's decisive intervention. It was a tense, controlled performance, settled late by the man Norway always look to.
How it unfolded: Nusa, Diallo and a Haaland flick
Antonio Nusa curled Norway ahead on 39 minutes from the edge of the box after a corner. Ivory Coast levelled on 74 through Amad Diallo, a composed left-footed finish following a give-and-go with Nicolas Pepe. The winner came on 86 minutes: Patrick Berg crossed and Haaland flicked a first-time finish into an open net for his fifth goal of the tournament, sealing a historic win as Norway held off a late Ivorian push.
Context: a golden generation delivers
The night carried real history: Norway had never won a World Cup knockout tie. Haaland's five goals make him a Golden Boot contender, while Martin Odegaard is treating this run as the pinnacle of his career. Stale Solbakken's decision to rest Haaland in the group stage paid off, his striker fresh and decisive. Ivory Coast exit with pride, the teenage Diomande and veteran Pepe pointing to a promising future.
The next step: Norway meet Brazil
Norway advance to a Round of 16 showdown with Brazil on July 5 at MetLife Stadium — Haaland against the five-time champions. Ivory Coast are eliminated after a spirited campaign. Our forecast of Norway-or-draw landed as Solbakken's side edged a tight contest to make history.
Norway edge the market as the more attacking side and need only avoid a 90-minute defeat to reach extra time; Ivory Coast's organisation keeps it close, so the double chance is the measured play.
Back this tip
Total:Under: 2.555%
Under 2.5 goals
1.94 odds
Win 246%
Norway to win
2.12 odds
Total Team 1 Under: 1.560%
Ivory Coast under 1.5 goals
1.42 odds
This Round of 32 tie at AT&T Stadium brings together two group runners-up in the pick of the evenly-matched pairings. Norway advanced on the back of a free-scoring group campaign, while Ivory Coast progressed through organisation, resilience and big-game know-how. Expect a tight, tactical encounter: Stale Solbakken's expansive Norway against Emerse Fae's disciplined, counter-minded Ivory Coast. With a Round of 16 place on the line and a draw sending the tie to extra time, both sides may err on the side of caution. Our forecast narrowly favours Norway to avoid defeat in a closely-contested, low-scoring tie.
Ivory Coast — recent matches
25 Jun 2026Curaçao2 — 0W
20 Jun 2026Germany1 — 2L
14 Jun 2026Ecuador1 — 0W
08 Jun 2026Philadelphia Union II2 — 0W
04 Jun 2026France2 — 1W
Norway — recent matches
26 Jun 2026France1 — 4L
23 Jun 2026Senegal3 — 2W
16 Jun 2026Iraq4 — 1W
07 Jun 2026Morocco1 — 1D
01 Jun 2026Sweden3 — 1W
Key Players
Ivory Coast
Sébastien HallerSTDortmund · 30+ caps · 11 G
Franck KessiéCMAl-Ahli · 80+ caps
Simon AdingraLWBrighton · 20+ caps
Yves BissoumaCDMTottenham · 50+ caps
Norway
Erling HaalandSTMan City · 35+ caps · 35 G
Martin ØdegaardAMArsenal · 45+ caps · Captain
Alexander SørlothSTAtlético · 50+ caps · 14 G
Antonio NusaLWLeipzig · 15+ caps
Injuries
Ivory Coast
None reported
Norway
None reported
Venue · Context
Stadium: AT&T Stadium
Capacity: 80,000
AT&T Stadium's retractable roof is expected to stay shut against the Texas summer, air-conditioning the arena and removing heat as a variable.
Ivory Coast
1–2
Norway
