The decision proved to be a sound one. Norway’s coach, Ståle Solbakken, faced significant backlash for resting nearly his entire squad during the final group match against France. Many criticized him, especially fans who invested heavily to see a clash between Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. However, as Solbakken stated, the outcome of this match would determine the validity of his choices. With Norway advancing to the last 16, his strategy can now be deemed successful.
Nonetheless, it was an incredibly close contest. Norway initially took the lead through Antonio Nusa in the first half and appeared to be in command, with Côte d’Ivoire’s possession proving ineffective. However, Amad Diallo made an outstanding impact as a substitute, not only executing a remarkable clearance to deny a Torbjørn Heggem volley but also scoring a brilliant equalizer. Yet, with just four minutes left, Erling Haaland managed to net the decisive goal, a shot that may have been misdirected, but that didn’t matter to the jubilant Norway supporters who celebrated their progression to a knockout match against Brazil at New York New Jersey Stadium.
For both teams, this match represented unfamiliar ground; neither had previously triumphed in a knockout stage at the World Cup. Côte d’Ivoire had never advanced beyond the group stage, despite having won matches in all their previous World Cup appearances, largely due to a series of unfortunate draws. On the other hand, Norway had only participated in two knockout matches: one in 1938, prior to the introduction of a group stage, and another in 1998, both resulting in defeats to Italy.
Solbakken’s lineup changes were aimed at breaking this pattern. Patrick Berg from Bodø/Glimt was the sole player to start in both of Norway’s last two matches, and he played a crucial role in setting up Haaland’s winning goal. Haaland is among the three Norwegian players whose fathers also participated in World Cups, while Berg’s father played for Norway but never made it to a finals. The unity within this team was evident during their post-match celebrations, where a drum was once again brought from the stands, allowing captain Martin Ødegaard to lead both players and fans in a celebratory Viking chant.
This match saw Norway engaging in a style of play that was somewhat foreign to them. This generation has built a reputation for being high-scoring, often overwhelming opponents. However, they adapted to a more defensive approach, successfully enduring pressure and surviving. The effectiveness of this strategy will be tested against a more dynamic side than Côte d’Ivoire, with Brazil set to present a significant challenge to their resolve.
Côte d’Ivoire, much like in their previous match against Germany where they lost 2-1 after initially leading, began this game with promise, dominating possession instead of relying on counterattacks. Their primary threat came from the flanks, particularly through Nicolas Pépé, who displayed an attacking flair that had been absent during his time at Arsenal. Pépé had a golden opportunity in the first half, connecting with a Yan Diomande cross at the back post, but instead of shooting, he volleyed the ball across the goal, allowing Kristoffer Ajer to clear it.
Chances were sparse for Côte d’Ivoire, a recurring issue they have faced since winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023. In that tournament, they suffered two group stage losses, including a significant 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea, which led to the dismissal of their manager and the appointment of current head coach Emerse Faé, who guided them to victory despite the challenges.
However, once the inspiration that characterized Les Revenants faded, Côte d’Ivoire struggled with precision and the ability to convert opportunities. Their typical performance was evident in their 3-2 loss to Egypt in the Cup of Nations quarter-finals earlier this year, where they controlled possession and created chances but lacked a genuine goal threat.
Once Norway finally found the net, the goal came from a wide forward six minutes before halftime. Ødegaard played a precise pass to Nusa, who skillfully maneuvered past Pépé and placed a well-aimed shot around goalkeeper Yahia Fofana into the corner. Although Norway appeared to be in control, Diallo had other plans. With just 16 minutes remaining, he received the ball on the right, executed a clever one-two with Pépé that bypassed three Norwegian defenders, slipped past another, and then fired a shot past goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.
The match suddenly ignited with renewed energy. It seemed as if the spirit of Les Revenants was returning, embodying a team that never gives up. Diallo’s remarkable save denying Heggem and the brilliance of his goal could have dampened Norwegian spirits, suggesting it might not be their day. Nevertheless, Berg and Haaland rallied the team, and in injury time, Nyland made a spectacular diving save to thwart a Diallo free-kick. The Norwegian longboat continues its voyage.
- World Cup 2026
- Côte d’Ivoire football team
- Norway
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