The decision proved beneficial for Norway’s coach, Ståle Solbakken, who faced significant scrutiny for resting nearly his entire squad in the crucial group match against France. Many fans, having invested substantial sums to see a clash between Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, were particularly vocal. As Solbakken noted, the outcome of this game would validate or undermine his strategy. With Norway advancing to the last 16, his choices can be deemed successful.
However, the victory was far from straightforward. After taking an initial lead with a goal from Antonio Nusa, Norway appeared to have the upper hand, while Côte d’Ivoire struggled to convert possession into meaningful threats. The game shifted dramatically when Amad Diallo made a pivotal impact as a substitute, making a brilliant clearance off a Torbjørn Heggem volley and then scoring a breathtaking equalizer. Yet, just four minutes from time, Haaland managed to nudge in the decisive goal. Although it may not have been the cleanest strike, the Norwegian supporters behind the goal celebrated as their team prepared to face Brazil in the next round.
This match marked a significant milestone for both teams, as neither had previously won a knockout game in World Cup history. Côte d’Ivoire had always faltered in the group stages despite winning matches, while Norway had only participated in two knockout games—losing to Italy in both 1938 and 1998.
Solbakken’s strategic changes were aimed at overcoming this historical hurdle. Patrick Berg from Bodø/Glimt was the lone player to start both of Norway’s last two encounters, and he played a crucial role in assisting Haaland for the winning goal. Remarkably, Berg and Haaland are among three players in the current squad whose fathers competed in World Cups, and three additional team members also have fathers with international experience. This camaraderie was evident during their post-match celebrations as a drum was brought down from the stands, allowing Martin Ødegaard to lead players and fans in a spirited Viking chant.
This match presented a new challenge for Norway, who are accustomed to dominating their opponents with high-scoring games. Adopting a defensive posture and enduring pressure was a departure from their typical style. Nevertheless, they managed to execute this strategy effectively; the real test will come against a more formidable opponent like Brazil, which may expose potential vulnerabilities.
Côte d’Ivoire began the game strongly, showing promise after their initial lead against Germany in a previous match, where they ultimately lost 2-1. Here, they maintained possession better than in past games, with Nicolas Pépé, now at Villarreal, displaying a direct approach that was often lacking during his tenure at Arsenal. He had a prime opportunity to score in the first half, getting on the end of a Yan Diomande cross, but instead volleyed wide, allowing Kristoffer Ajer to clear the danger.
Despite having possession, Côte d’Ivoire has consistently struggled to convert opportunities into goals since their Africa Cup of Nations triumph at home in 2023. Following that tournament, where they lost two group games, they replaced their manager, bringing in Emerse Faé, and somehow managed to secure victory. However, the initial magic that propelled them has since faded, leading to a lack of precision and threat in front of goal. Their quarter-final loss to Egypt in January was indicative of these issues, as they dominated possession without making a significant goal-scoring impact.
Norway’s opening goal came from their wide forward just before halftime. Ødegaard threaded a pass to Nusa, who skillfully maneuvered past Pépé and curled a shot around Yahia Fofana into the net. Although Norway seemed to have control, the game shifted when Diallo entered the fray. With just 16 minutes to go, he received the ball on the right, executed a clever one-two with Pépé, evaded multiple defenders, and finished past Ørjan Nyland.
The match suddenly ignited with renewed energy. It seemed as if the spirit of Les Revenants was coming alive, a team that refuses to concede defeat. Diallo’s brilliant block against Heggem, denying what looked like a certain goal, and the quality of his own equalizer might have shaken Norwegian confidence. However, Berg and Haaland rallied the team, and in injury time, Nyland made an impressive save to deny a free-kick from Diallo, allowing Norway to continue their journey.
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