The decision proved to be a pivotal one. Ståle Solbakken, Norway’s head coach, faced backlash for resting many of his key players in the final group match against France, a move critics deemed questionable, especially those who invested heavily to see a clash between Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. As Solbakken noted, the merit of his choice hinged entirely on the outcome of this match. With Norway advancing to the last 16, his strategy has been vindicated.
It was, however, a nail-biting affair. Norway initially took the lead with a goal from Antonio Nusa in the first half, appearing to hold sway as Côte d’Ivoire struggled to make their possession count. Yet, Amad Diallo made a significant impact as a substitute, clearing a threatening volley from Torbjørn Heggem before netting a spectacular equalizer. Just four minutes from time, Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal, a scrappy effort that none of the Norway supporters behind the goal would soon forget as they prepared for a round of 16 clash with Brazil in New York/New Jersey.
For both teams, this match marked a significant milestone; neither had previously secured a victory in the knockout stages of a World Cup. Côte d’Ivoire, due to a series of unfortunate draws, had never advanced beyond the group stage despite winning a game in each World Cup appearance. Norway’s history in knockout rounds was limited to two matches: one in 1938, before the introduction of group stages, and another in 1998, both times resulting in defeats to Italy.
Solbakken’s alterations were aimed at breaking that longstanding trend. Patrick Berg of Bodø/Glimt was the only player to feature in both of Norway’s prior matches, assisting Haaland’s match-winning goal. Both Berg and Haaland belong to a select group of Norwegian players whose fathers participated in World Cups. Notably, three other squad members also have fathers who played at the international level. This camaraderie was evident during their post-match celebrations, where a drum was brought down from the stands, allowing Martin Ødegaard to lead a collective Viking chant with players and fans alike.
This encounter saw Norway adapting to a style of play that they are not accustomed to. Historically, this squad has favored an attacking approach, often overwhelming their opponents with scoring. However, they successfully embraced a defensive mentality, a strategy that may be tested further against a more aggressive opponent like Brazil, which could reveal their vulnerabilities.
Similar to their previous match against Germany, where they lost 2-1 despite a promising start, Côte d’Ivoire began with confidence. This time, they controlled possession rather than relying on counterattacks. Their main threat came from Nicolas Pépé, now with Villarreal, who displayed a level of directness and enthusiasm that was often missing during his time at Arsenal. He had the best chance of the first half, connecting with a cross from Yan Diomande at the back post, but his volley was directed across the goal rather than on target, with Kristoffer Ajer clearing the danger.
Opportunities came sporadically, a recurring issue for Côte d’Ivoire since their triumph in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held at home in 2024. Despite winning that tournament, they suffered two losses in the group stage, including a heavy 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, leading to a managerial change that brought in current head coach Emerse Faé. The enchantment that had propelled Les Revenants, as they were dubbed, faded, leaving them struggling with precision and finishing. Their quarter-final loss to Egypt in January, where they lost 3-2, exemplified this issue: plenty of possession and chances, yet a glaring lack of goal-scoring threat.
Once again, they found themselves in a similar situation. The first goal arrived six minutes before halftime, courtesy of a Norwegian winger. Ødegaard played a ball to Nusa, who skillfully maneuvered past Pépé and curled a precise shot past Yahia Fofana into the net. Norway seemed relatively comfortable, but then Diallo entered the fray. With 16 minutes left on the clock, he received the ball on the right, executed a quick one-two with Pépé that outmaneuvered three Norwegian defenders, sidestepped another, and slotted a shot past Ørjan Nyland.
The match suddenly reignited. The spirit of Les Revenants appeared to be resurging, a team that refused to accept defeat. The crucial defensive block by Diallo from Heggem and the brilliance of his goal could have dampened Norwegian spirits, creating a sense that luck was not on their side. However, Berg and Haaland rallied the team, and in injury time, Nyland made a remarkable save to deny Diallo’s free-kick. Norway’s journey continues.
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