Haaland Strikes Late as Norway Eliminates Ivory Coast at Dallas Stadium

History will have to wait for Ivory Coast.

Norway advance to the Round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, setting up a meeting with Brazil, but it took a moment of late magic from the player everyone expected to provide one.

Antonio Nusa put Norway in front with a brilliant strike in the 39th minute, and for a stretch it looked like that goal might be enough to send the Elephants home. But Ivory Coast came right back when Amad Diallo, on as a substitute just 14 minutes early, leveled it in the 74th minute.

The script flipped again in the 85th minute. Erling Haaland, rested for Norway’s group finale against France and quiet for large stretches of the afternoon, tapped in an easy finish off a perfect ball from Patrick Berg to put Norway back in front. Orjan Nyland then came up with a couple of big stops late, including one in stoppage time on a Diallo free kick from distance.

Key Moments

21’ - First real chance of the day for either side as Ivory Coast fullback Ghislain Konan, got free inside the Norwegian penalty box. He tried to beat the keeper at the near post, but his shot went wide and out for a goal kick.

37’ - Norway finally gets something going along the right side. Sorloth crossed the ball into the box for Haaland, who gets a pretty clean header on the ball, but it wasn’t nearly enough to beat the keeper.

39’ - GOOOALLL!! Norway finally breaks the deadlock on this one with Antonio Nusa scoring a wonderful goal with his right foot from the left side of the penalty area to beat the keeper at the far post.

40’ - Norway getting close again! Haaland nearly connects on the end of an attempt of his own from inside the six yard box, but it is tip away for a corner kick.

55’ - BIG STOP! Ivory Coast gets into the penalty area and Doue gets a clean look that forces a save from Nyland.

66’ - Norway comes close again with both Alexander Sorloth and Torbjorn Heggem getting a chance inside the six yard box off a corner kick. Ivory Coast barely comes out of that one without giving up a goal.

74’ - GOAL! Ivory Coast ties it up! Ahmad Diallo gets inside the Norway penalty box and fires a shot from his left boot to tie the game!

85’ - GOAL! Norway regains the lead with Haaland’s tap in from six yards away. Great setup along the right sideline to get it going. Patrick Berg gets played into the penalty area by Oscar Bobb, Berg picks out Haaland open at the opposite side of the box and the big guy makes it count.

90+6’ - BIG STOP! Nyland makes a huge diving save on a free kick from outside the penalty box from Diallo.

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Instant Reaction

This one had a bit of every of what you’d expect a knockout round match to have in it. Some nervy moments early on for both sides, followed by one team settling in and getting the bulk of the possession and chances in the first half (Ivory Coast), before some goals opened things up.

The late game-winner from Haaland also felt like it was bound to happen at some point.

If you are looking for a random team to support in this tournament, Norway may be the one. They’re dangerous enough when they need to be, and their fan support is top-notch.

Man of the Match

It feels silly to give it to Haaland, even with the game-winner. So, I’m going with the guy who helped set it up, Berg.

What’s next for both squads

Ivory Coast’s first-ever trip to the knockout stage ends here. Norway moves on to face Brazil in the Round of 16.

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