Haaland fires Norway into World Cup knockout stage

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. 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