ARLINGTON (Kashmir English): Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2–1 on Tuesday to secure their first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout stage victory and advance to the Round of 16.
The match was played at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Norway opened the scoring in the 39th minute when winger Antonio Nusa cut inside from the left and put the ball into the top right corner.
The African side, however, equalised as substitute Amad Diallo scored for Ivory Coast in the 74th minute. He danced past multiple defenders to slide a low finish past Ørjan Nyland.
First-ever World Cup win
In the 86th minute, Erling Haaland tapped home a close-range cut-back from Patrick Berg to claim his 5th goal of the ongoing tournament and seal the historic victory.
Norway to meet Brazil in Round of 16
Norway will now face five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 16 on Sunday, July 5, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
This high-profile matchup comes exactly 28 years after Norway’s 2–1 upset victory over Brazil at the 1998 World Cup.
