Erling Haaland showcased his talent once again as he netted the winning goal for Norway, securing a 2-1 victory against Ivory Coast in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The match took place at AT&T Stadium in the United States, and with this win, Norway will now face the formidable Brazil in the quarter-finals.

After resting during the final group stage match against France, Haaland returned with renewed vigor. However, his performance against Ivory Coast was not without challenges, as he faced tight marking throughout the game. Nevertheless, in a crucial moment, the Manchester City striker found the back of the net in the 86th minute, sealing Norway's historic win.

The match began with Norway adopting a cautious approach, allowing Ivory Coast to dominate possession and create several scoring opportunities. Despite their efforts, players like Nicolas Pepe and Amad Diallo were unable to convert their chances into goals. Norway's breakthrough came unexpectedly when Antonio Nusa scored a stunning goal in the 39th minute, putting them ahead 1-0.

In the second half, Ivory Coast continued to press, and their persistence paid off when Amad Diallo, who was substituted in the 66th minute, scored a brilliant equalizer in the 74th minute after dribbling past three Norwegian defenders. However, Haaland's late strike ensured that Norway emerged victorious.

This victory is significant for Norway, marking their first win in a knockout stage of the World Cup, a feat they had never achieved before. They will now face Brazil, a strong contender for the title, in the quarter-finals.

Statistically, Norway had a 61.8% chance of advancing, while Ivory Coast had a 31.9% chance according to predictions from Opta. Ivory Coast made history by advancing past the group stage for the first time, having performed admirably in their matches, including victories over Ecuador and Curacao.

Haaland's performance has been pivotal for Norway throughout the tournament, having scored in previous matches against Iraq and Senegal. This knockout match marks only the third time in World Cup history that Norway has reached this stage, with previous attempts ending in defeats against Italy in 1937 and 1998. As they prepare for their next challenge against Brazil, Norway will aim to build on their recent successes and continue their World Cup journey.