The moment was so enormous that there was a moment’s hesitation after Erling Haaland had applied the touch which sent his nation on deeper into this World Cup. Had the contact been firm enough to propel the ball into the net? Even when you’re Haaland, the anxiety gets to you on a stage such as this.
Yes, the contact was enough, and Haaland could collapse into the Norwegian players who mobbed him, while his father Alf-Inge, who knows a lot about the agony of defeat in a tournament like this, issued a visible sigh of relief as he watched.
It meant Norway had won 2-1 and Haaland, whose contribution had otherwise been marginal, claimed the honours nevertheless in a game which seemed destined at each swing of fortune to have written the name of different stars up in lights. Norway led at half-time through Antonio Nusa. Substitute Amad Diallo equalised. But Haaland converted a ball from Patrik Berger, a legend of FK Bodo/Glimt, to win it and send his team to a clash with Brazil in New Jersey at the weekend.
Haaland the target
The pre-match talk had, naturally, been about Haaland, who averages more than a goal per game at international level and is wrapped up in this World Cup campaign. Alf-Inge was part of the Norway squad which finished bottom of their group when the tournament was held in the US in 1994. There was a great first-half supply from him, through Alexander Sorloth, whose cross from the right Haaland levered himself up to get a head on after 38 minutes – but he couldn’t make contact. Other chances came and went. Sorloth, the Atletico Madrid player, headed a ball down for him after a corner but his shot was blocked and he couldn’t quite get on the end of another opportunity. His huge moment arrived after 86 minutes.
Erling Haaland scored a late winner to beat Ivory Coast and send Norway to the last 16
Amad Diallo’s sensational individual goal proved to be in vain as Ivory Coast crashed out
Brilliant Amad
He only arrived on the hour mark and was asked to keep his country in the World Cup, having been reduced to the place on the bench for what were said to have been tactical reasons. Amad Diallo could have responded negatively to that, but what we witnessed were the gifts which Manchester United have not brought out of him.
He barely showed emotion after clearing off the line a volley from Torbjorn Heggem which seemed to have sent the Scandinavians through. And then, a goal from the Gods to equalise – after a give-and-go with Nicolas Pepe, a beautifully balanced run through the box and shot. His last goal for United was against Bournemouth in December, though there has been a vital goal against Ecuador to go with this one. Despite the outcome, this World Cup looks hugely restorative for the 23-year-old.
Ivorians in a Nusa
Just when the deep-lying Ivory Coast defence was looking a bit challenging for Norway, the breakthrough moment came from Antonio Nusa, with a piece of pure brilliance, launching an arced right-footer into the top right-hand corner.
The 21-year-old has been on British clubs’ radars for several years. Brentford saw a move for him collapse in January 2024. There were problems with his medical which raised questions about his knee. Spurs and Newcastle have monitored him more recently, after reports of his energetic performances and attack on full backs for RB Leipzig. They’ll be a lot more interest now. He threatened down the right again in the second half but left the field with 20 minutes to play as Norway tried to consolidate and keep their opponents out.
Antonio Nusa’s brilliant curled effort in the first half gave Norway the lead against the run of play
Norway really believe
No-one really expected a sea of Norwegians here. The country’s entire population is half of London’s. But there is a sense that this is the greatest Norwegian team of all time. Their lilting anthem ‘One for All’ – which dates from the early 2000s – filled the stadium before kick-off and the incredible mass rowing movement which they call ‘Vikingblod’ was in full flow. It’s captivated this tournament in the same way that Iceland’s Viking clap did at Euro 2016.
Super Nicky Pepe
The Norwegians needed cool heads early on because of the very dangerous Ivorian wing play and the prime threat was Nicolas Pepe. Pepe, now 31, seemed to have the world at his feet when he made his debut as a sub at Newcastle in 2019, as their £72m record signing. Arsenal fans sang ‘Super Nicky Pepe’ that day. There were hints of the mazy ball control and eye for goal which saw the Gunners buy him, early on. He met Yan Diomande’s cross from the opposite flank but couldn’t target goal and Kristoffer Ajer cleared. Pepe followed up with a close range effort after Guela Doue’s shot had been blocked but Norway keeper Orjan Nyland made a big stop with his foot.
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