Erling Haaland struck four minutes from time to send Norway into the World Cup last 16 with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire in Texas on Tuesday.
The Manchester City striker bundled home Patrick Berg’s cross in the 86th minute for his fifth goal of the tournament, sealing Norway’s first-ever knockout victory at a World Cup.
The win sets up a mouth-watering last-16 clash with five-time champions Brazil in New Jersey on Sunday.
After a subdued opening, Antonio Nusa broke the deadlock six minutes before half-time with a stunning curling effort that ranks among the goals of the tournament.
Côte d’Ivoire responded strongly after the break, and substitute Amad Diallo made an immediate impact after coming on just past the hour mark.
The Manchester United winger first denied Norway a second goal with a goal-line clearance before producing a moment of brilliance of his own, weaving past two defenders and firing home a superb equaliser in the 74th minute.
With extra time looming, Haaland was in the right place to turn Berg’s cross over the line and send Norway into the history books.
The physical contest took time to ignite inside the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Côte d’Ivoire threatened first when Ghislain Konan burst into the penalty area but could only find the side netting.
The Elephants were left frustrated shortly before the cooling break when the lively Yan Diomande was brought down on a counterattack, with referee Jesús Valenzuela opting not to caution Norway defender David Møller Wolfe.
Diomande, the 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger reportedly close to joining European champions Paris Saint-Germain, grew increasingly influential as Côte d’Ivoire enjoyed their best spell of the first half.
Norway, however, made the breakthrough through a moment of individual brilliance.
Martin Ødegaard found Nusa, who cut inside before curling an unstoppable effort into the top corner, leaving the Arsenal captain holding his head in disbelief.
Ståle Solbakken’s side almost doubled their advantage before the interval, but Ibrahim Sangaré produced a crucial last-ditch block to deny Haaland from close range.
Côte d’Ivoire began the second half with renewed intensity, forcing a series of corners before Nicolas Pépé was denied by Ørjan Nyland’s legs.
Norway thought they had doubled their lead from a set-piece, only for Diallo to clear off the line.
The equaliser eventually arrived when Diallo danced into the box and finished brilliantly to restore parity.
But Haaland had the final word, converting from close range before Nyland preserved Norway’s victory with an outstanding save from Diallo’s stoppage-time free-kick.
Norway now advance to the last 16 for the first time in their history, where Brazil await.
AFP
