Haaland fires Norway into World Cup knockout stage

Haaland Norway World Cup

Erling Haaland came through for Norway late during the game and beat Ivory Coast 2-1 on Tuesday to reach the World Cup last 16, where they will meet Brazil on Sunday.

The win was a historic one for Norway, as this was their first win in a World Cup knockout match.

It was Haaland who scored the goal in the 86th minute and calmly put the ball into the net from close range after receiving a pass from Patrick Berg.

This was Haaland’s fifth goal of the season.

The game was slow at the start, with neither side having a clear opportunity to score a goal.

When Norway took the lead in the first half, six minutes before the interval, through a fantastic Antonio Nusa strike.

The 21-year-old curled the ball outside the penalty area into the net after a pass from captain Martin Odegaard into the top corner.

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Ivory Coast increased its energy after halftime and got good results for its efforts.

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, who came on as a substitute, first prevented Norway from doubling their lead by clearing the ball off the goal line.

He then levelled the scores in the 74th minute with a great solo effort, beating two defenders to level the scores.

The match was heading for extra time when Haaland once again made the difference.

Haaland received a pass from Berg and struck the ball into the net.

Ivory Coast had a chance to score again in the dying moments, but Orjan Nyland, the Norway goalkeeper, made a key save from the late Diallo free kick to save the game for Norway.

With this draw, Norway will face five-time World Cup winners Brazil in the last 16, and Ivory Coast’s remarkable campaign will come to an end.

Also read: Haaland leads Norway into World Cup knockouts