The decision has been validated. Norway’s coach, Ståle Solbakken, made a significant risk by resting many of his starters in the final group match against France, which drew considerable backlash, especially from fans who spent substantial amounts to see a clash between Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. As Solbakken noted, the outcome of this match would determine whether his choice was wise. With Norway advancing to the last 16, his strategy can now be deemed successful.
However, the victory was far from straightforward. After taking an early lead thanks to Antonio Nusa, Norway appeared to be in command, with Côte d’Ivoire’s possession lacking potency. Yet, Amad Diallo responded with a remarkable substitute performance, first making an outstanding clearance to deny a Torbjørn Heggem volley and then scoring a brilliant equalizer. But in the closing minutes, Erling Haaland managed to push in the decisive goal. While it might have been mis-hit, the Norway supporters behind the goal were unconcerned as their team secured a place in the knockout round against Brazil at New York New Jersey Stadium.
For both teams, this marked an unusual achievement; neither had previously triumphed in a World Cup knockout match. Côte d’Ivoire had never advanced past the group stage despite winning matches in every tournament they entered, often hindered by a series of tough draws. Norway’s history is similarly sparse, having only participated in two knockout matches: in 1938, before the group stage was established, and again in 1998, losing both times to Italy.
Solbakken’s lineup changes were an effort to overcome that historical challenge. Midfielder Patrick Berg from Bodø/Glimt was the sole player to feature in both of Norway’s last two games, assisting Haaland for the winning goal. Haaland is one of three Norwegian players whose fathers participated in World Cups, while Berg’s father represented Norway but never reached the finals. The team’s camaraderie was evident during their post-match celebrations, where a drum was once again brought down from the stands, allowing captain Martin Ødegaard to lead both players and fans in a unified Viking chant.
This match saw Norway adapting to a style they are not accustomed to. This generation typically boasts a high-scoring approach, overpowering their opponents. Instead, they focused on defending and holding their ground, which proved effective; however, it remains to be seen how they will fare against a more aggressive side than Côte d’Ivoire, with Brazil looming as a considerable challenge.
Similar to their previous encounter with Germany, where they lost 2-1 despite an early lead, Côte d’Ivoire started strongly in this match, controlling possession instead of relying on counterattacks. Their primary threat came from the flanks, with Nicolas Pépé, now playing for Villarreal, exhibiting a directness and energy that was often missing during his time at Arsenal. He had the best opportunity of the first half, connecting with a Yan Diomande cross at the back post, but instead of shooting at goal, he volleyed across, allowing Kristoffer Ajer to clear it over the bar.
Opportunities were infrequent, a recurring issue for Côte d’Ivoire since their victory in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 2024. They had previously lost two group stage matches, including a heavy 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea, which led to the sacking of their manager and the hiring of current head coach Emerse Faé, who surprisingly led them to glory.
Once the inexplicable magic that inspired Les Revenants faded, they struggled with precision and finishing. Their 3-2 loss to Egypt in the Cup of Nations quarter-finals exemplified this, characterized by plenty of possession and chances but little actual threat on goal.
As the first half neared its end, Norway’s opening goal came from a wide forward. Ødegaard passed the ball to Nusa, who skillfully maneuvered around Pépé and curled a precise shot past Yahia Fofana into the corner. With Norway appearing largely untroubled, Diallo entered the fray. With just 16 minutes left, he collected the ball on the right, executed a clever one-two with Pépé that bypassed three Norwegian defenders, evaded a fourth, and sent a shot past Ørjan Nyland.
The game suddenly ignited. There was a sense that the spirit of Les Revenants, the team that never knew when to give up, was reawakening. Diallo’s defensive block against Heggem, which denied a sure goal, alongside the brilliance of his equalizer might have caused doubt among the Norwegian players. However, Berg and Haaland rallied the team, and in injury time, Nyland made an exceptional save to deny Diallo’s free-kick. The Norwegian longboat continues its journey.
- World Cup 2026
- Côte d’Ivoire football team
- Norway
- World Cup
- match reports
