Erling Haaland scored a late winning goal to give Norway a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on Tuesday [1].
The win marks a historic milestone for the Norwegian national team, as it represents the first knockout-stage win in the country's World Cup history [4].
Norway secured the result during the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match remained tense until the closing minutes when Haaland found the back of the net in the 86th minute [2]. That goal provided the necessary lead to eliminate Ivory Coast and ensure Norway's progression to the next phase of the tournament [3].
Final scores ended at 2-1 in favor of Norway [1]. The victory allows the squad to advance to the Round of 16 [3].
This achievement comes after a long period of absence from the global stage. The win occurs 28 years after Norway's previous appearance in a World Cup [5]. Haaland's performance continues to be the focal point of the team's offensive strategy as they move deeper into the competition.
“Norway's first knockout-stage win in World Cup history”
This victory validates Norway's return to the world stage after nearly three decades of absence. By securing their first-ever knockout-stage win, Norway transitions from a returning participant to a legitimate contender in the 2026 tournament, while further cementing Erling Haaland's reputation as a clutch performer in high-stakes international fixtures.
