Norway secures victory in Dallas
Norway has advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in a thrilling match at Dallas Stadium. The decisive goal came late in the game from Erling Haaland, sending the Norwegian side through and eliminating their opponents.
The match saw Norway open the scoring in the first half, but Ivory Coast managed to equalize with a notable goal in the second half. Ultimately, it was Haaland who secured the crucial final goal, marking his fifth goal of the tournament.
First half action and Norwegian breakthrough
The initial stages of the match saw Norway struggling to find their rhythm, with too many square passes and a failure to involve key player Erling Haaland. This allowed Ivory Coast, also known as Les Éléphants, to gain confidence and control much of the early play. Norway’s defense was frequently tested, attempting to repel a series of attacks as their midfield offered limited protection.
Despite being largely on the back foot for the opening half-hour, Norway broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. Antonio Nusa collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and struck it powerfully, sending it into the top-right corner of the net. This goal came somewhat against the run of play, as Norway had been chasing the game for much of the initial period before starting to assert themselves just prior to Nusa’s effort.
Shortly after their goal, Norway nearly extended their lead. Haaland had a sight of goal in the 36th minute after Alexander Sorloth delivered a cross from the right, but the striker’s header lacked its usual power and was comfortably gathered by Yahia Fofana. Minutes later, Haaland had another close-range shot that was blocked, leading to a corner kick, though he was unable to connect with the subsequent delivery. Norway maintained their 1-0 lead going into halftime, having gained momentum after their goal.
Second half drama and late winner
The second half commenced with an open style of play, providing both teams with opportunities to score. A significant chance for Norway arose from a corner kick, where Torbjørn Heggem‘s close-range shot appeared destined for the net. However, Ivory Coast midfielder Amad Diallo, who had just been introduced into the game, was positioned on the goal line and managed to clear the ball.
During the second-half hydration break, Norway made some defensive substitutions, seemingly aiming to protect their lead. However, this strategy did not prevent Ivory Coast from equalizing shortly thereafter. Diallo, a Manchester United player, executed a quick one-two pass with Nicolas Pépé outside the box. He then received the return pass, dribbled past Moller Wolfe and Sander Berge, and fired a left-footed shot that bounced off the turf and over Ørjan Nyland, finding the bottom-left corner of the net. This brought the score level with at least a quarter of an hour remaining in the match.
As the game entered its final minutes, Erling Haaland once again proved decisive. The winning move originated on the Norwegian right flank, with Patrick Berg receiving an exquisite through ball. Berg then delivered a cross into the middle of the box, where Haaland was positioned with an open net. He took a soft touch, which appeared almost like an attempt to control the ball, and it scooted over the line, giving Norway a 2-1 lead in the 86th minute. This late goal ultimately broke the hearts of the Ivorian team, whose defense watched in dismay.
Ivory Coast continued to press for an equalizer in the dying minutes, attempting to force extra time. Diallo, who had already scored, unleashed a stinging free-kick that was acrobatically tipped out by the watchful Norwegian goalkeeper, Ørjan Nyland. Despite these late efforts, Norway held on for the victory. The Norwegian fans, who had been rowing in unison throughout the celebrations, joined their players in a collective act of rowing after the final whistle, reflecting the team’s unified effort.
Norway’s triumph sets up a highly anticipated encounter with five-time World Cup champion Brazil in New York on July 5.
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Source: thehindu.com
