World Cup: Haaland fires Norway into Round of 16 with late winner against Côte d’Ivoire

Erling Haaland proved decisive once again, scoring a late winner to secure Norway's 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire and propel them into the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The win was a historic moment for Norway, marking their first-ever triumph in a World Cup knockout stage after two prior unsuccessful attempts.

Norway will now face Brazil in the next round. The match saw Norway take a deserved lead just before halftime through Antonio Nusa. However, Côte d’Ivoire fought back strongly in the second half, with substitute Amad Diallo scoring a brilliant equalizer. Just as extra time loomed, Haaland found the net from a Patrick Berg pass, sealing the win for Norway.

The goal continued Haaland's remarkable scoring run, extending it to 13 consecutive competitive internationals for Norway, during which he has scored 25 goals. He also became the first player in 72 years to score in each of his first three FIFA World Cup appearances. Despite their exit, Côte d’Ivoire impressed in their debut beyond the group stage, with teenager Yan Diomandé achieving a personal milestone by becoming the second African player to feature in four World Cup matches before turning 20.