World Cup: Norway through to World Cup Round of 16 following win over Ivory Coast

Erling Haaland netted a late winner as Norway arranged their clash with Brazil in the round of 16 of the World Cup after defeating the Ivory Coast 2-1 in Texas on Tuesday.

Haaland found the back of the net from a narrow angle after 86 minutes of play for his fifth goal in the ongoing World Cup.

This was the first time Norway secured a win in a knock-out game at any World Cup.

While there were some promising signs during the first half of the match, it ended evenly with little action. But six minutes away from the end of the first half, Antonio Nusa gave Norway the lead with one of the best goals of the tournament.

Amad Diallo of Manchester United came on the field after an hour and became the difference-maker immediately, saving the Ivory Coast from conceding a second goal and scoring an excellent goal after 74 minutes.

Just when it seemed like there was extra-time coming, predator Haaland struck from a wonderful cross by Patrick Berg.

They take on five-time winners Brazil in New Jersey Sunday with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.

An encounter between two physical sides started off lifeless at the impressive air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Ivory Coast got a glimpse of goal in the 20th minute, as defender Ghislain Konan dashed into the Norway box from the left wing, but hit the side netting.

The Ivory Coast players and supporters were furious moments before halftime, when lively Yan Diomande was fouled on the counter attack in his own half.

Strangely enough, referee Jesus Valenzuela failed to give a card to defender David Moller Wolfe.

The young 19-year old winger Diomande, set to leave RB Leipzig and join Paris Saint-Germain, was getting into his stride.

The young African side, one of the youngest at the tournament, dominated the contest and looked particularly dangerous down the left flank of Diomande.

Haaland had nothing much to work with, but may have done better with a weak header which went straight to goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.

It was time for real class when Nusa, after being served by captain Martin Odegaard, cut inside and curled the ball superbly in the top corner.

Odegaard covered his face in amazement at the effort from the 21-year-old, who is Diomande’s teammate at RB Leipzig.

Norway, managed by Stale Solbakken, were searching for a second goal in the second half of the first half as Haaland was denied an effort at goal by a late block from Ibrahim Sangare who was celebrating as if he had scored a goal.

Ivory Coast, in their first appearance in the knockout rounds, took their 10th corner to start the second half of the game.

Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe could not find the back of the net despite efforts by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

As the runners-up to France in the group phase, Norway came very close to scoring again when Diallo cleared the ball off the line after a corner.

The supporters of Norway, realizing that the next round is not far away, got started with their rowing routine in the stadium.

Just when they ceased their act, Diallo entered the penalty area after fending off two challenges to net an equalizer.

Finally came the moment when Haaland scored to break Ivorians’ hearts as the Norway goalkeeper Nyland made a diving save to keep out a Diallo free-kick.