Fans of Norway are seen after the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
DALLAS, United States, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Norway knocked out Cote d'Ivoire 2-1 in the World Cup round of 32 with Erling Haaland's last-gasp winner, setting up a highly-anticipated clash against Brazil in the last 16.
In their first meeting, neither side created decent chances until the 39th minute when Antonio Nusa gathered from Martin Odegaard and delivered a moment of magic by unleashing a curler that swerved into the net.
Haaland should have made it two minutes later, but Ibrahim Sangare made a decisive block to prevent Norway from going two up.
It was quite an open game after the break, as Nicolas Pepe's strike was denied by Norway's goalkeeper Orjan Nyland while at the other end Torbjorn Heggem's attempt was cleared by Amad Diallo on the goal-line.
Diallo also showed what he is capable of in attacking, as the Manchester United forward completed a give-and-go with Pepe, before firing a shot past Nyland.
As the game seemed to end up 1-1 in regular time, Haaland, who was almost pocketed by defenders throughout the game, decided the fixture in the 86th minute when Oscar Bobb's through ball found Patrick Berg who rolled across for the Manchester City hitman to tap it in undisturbed.
The African side pushed for an equalizer in the dying minutes, especially Amad's free kick, but Nyland's flying save kept it at bay. ■
Torbjorn Heggem (R) of Norway competes during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Starting players of Norway pose for a group photo before the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Fans of Norway are seen during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Starting players of Cote d'Ivoire pose for a group photo before the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Antonio Nusa (front R) of Norway competes with Guela Doue (front C) of Cote d'Ivoire during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Fans of Norway are seen before the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Fans of Norway cheer during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Ghislain Konan (L) of Cote d'Ivoire shoots during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Alexander Sorloth (R) of Norway competes during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Alexander Sorloth (down R) of Norway competes during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Martin Odegaard (L) and Erling Haaland of Norway react during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Nicolas Pepe (front) of Cote d'Ivoire shoots during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Ghislain Konan (L) of Cote d'Ivoire vies for a header against Alexander Sorloth of Norway during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Patrick Berg (R) of Norway competes during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Antonio Nusa (1st R) of Norway celebrates with teammates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Antonio Nusa (front) of Norway celebrates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Antonio Nusa (L) of Norway celebrates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Antonio Nusa of Norway celebrates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Erling Haaland (up L) of Norway competes during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Antonio Nusa (C) of Norway celebrates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Stale Solbakken, head coach of Norway, reacts during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Antonio Nusa of Norway celebrates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Antonio Nusa (R) of Norway shoots and scores during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Players of Norway celebrate a goal during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Antonio Nusa of Norway celebrates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Antonio Nusa (up) of Norway celebrates with teammates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Antonio Nusa (C) of Norway celebrates with teammates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Ibrahim Sangare (L) of Cote d'Ivoire competes with Erling Haaland of Norway during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Orjan Nyland, goalkeeper of Norway, competes during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Ghislain Konan (R) of Cote d'Ivoire competes with Antonio Nusa of Norway during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Yan Diomande (R) of Cote d'Ivoire competes during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Yahia Fofana (up R), goalkeeper of Cote d'Ivoire, makes a save during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates after the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Antonio Nusa (not pictured) of Norway scores during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Amad Diallo (4th L) of Cote d'Ivoire shoots and scores during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Fans of Norway celebrate after the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Players of both sides react after the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Kristoffer Ajer (R) of Norway celebrates after the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Torbjorn Heggem (R) and Kristoffer Ajer of Norway react after the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Erling Haaland (C) of Norway celebrates with teammates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Erling Haaland (2nd L) of Norway reacts after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Amad Diallo (2nd L) of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Amad Diallo (3rd L) of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates with teammates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Amad Diallo (rear R) of Cote d'Ivoire shoots and scores during the round of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
