FIFA World Cup 2026: Haaland’s Late Winner Knocks Ivory Coast Out of Round of 32
Norway shattered Ivory Coast’s historic tournament run with a dramatic 2-1 victory in a tense World Cup Round of 32 clash at Dallas Stadium.
The Scandinavian side took an initial first-half lead through a magnificent, curling strike from Antonio Nusa before Manchester United’s Amad Diallo came off the bench to score a sensational equalizer for the Elephants.
Despite a fiercely resilient performance from the African heavyweights, generational talent Erling Haaland broke Ivorian hearts by poaching an 86th-minute winner.
The clinical, close-range finish secured Norway’s first-ever knockout victory in World Cup history and booked them an elite Round of 16 showdown against Brazil.
While Emerse Faé’s men exit the global stage with immense pride after reaching the knockouts for the first time, the narrow defeat leaves a bitter taste of missed opportunities.
Norway now moves on to face the five-time world champions, while the Elephants pack their bags after a brave campaign that proved they truly belong among the footballing elite.
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