For an hour and a half it looked as though Norway's joyous World Cup adventure might be slipping away. Then, as so often, Erling Haaland settled it.
A late winner
Norway took the lead before halftime through Antonio Nusa, who curled home in the 39th minute, as ESPN reported. Ivory Coast hit back to level the round-of-32 tie in the 74th minute, threatening to send the match to extra time. But with about four minutes left, Haaland pounced to make it 2-1 and settle it, Yahoo Sports reported — the kind of decisive moment that has defined the striker's career.
Deeper into the tournament
The win carries Norway into the round of 16 and extends a run that has thrilled the country. Back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998 — and after a perfect qualifying campaign in which they won all 10 of their matches — Norway have backed up the optimism with results, and their boisterous "Viking Row" supporters have become one of the tournament's signature sights.
The team is built around two stars: Haaland, the prolific Manchester City forward, and the captain, Martin Odegaard of Arsenal. Their blend of creativity and ruthless finishing has turned what might have been a feel-good return into a genuine deep run.
Brazil next
The reward is a daunting one. Norway will face Brazil, five-time world champions, in the round of 16. On paper it is a mismatch of pedigree, but history offers Norway a sliver of encouragement: they have an unusually strong record against Brazil, including a famous 2-1 victory at the 1998 World Cup. Whether that history means anything against the current Brazilian side will be tested when the two meet.
For Ivory Coast, the tournament is over, their campaign ended by a single late moment of quality. For Norway, the dream rolls on — and a nation that waited 28 years to return to this stage now finds itself, improbably, one game from the quarterfinals.
