Haaland taps Norway to first knockout win

ARLINGTON, Texas — Erling Haaland savored the moment after Norway won a knockout game at the World Cup for the first time, a celebration that included wearing horned helmet and, again, sitting on the field with teammates to do the Viking Row in sync with their red-clad fans.

"This is unbelievable. This is history," Haaland said on the field after the game.

A slight tap from Haaland's left foot in the 86th minute was the difference as Norway beat Cote d'Ivoire 2-1 on Tuesday, setting up another World Cup match against five-time champion Brazil — 28 years after a victory that many consider the nation's greatest ever soccer achievement.

Norway is playing in its first World Cup since 1998, when it reached the knockout round after scoring goals in the 83rd and 89th minutes in that incredible 2-1 comeback win over the then-reigning champion.

For now, the players want to enjoy their latest accomplishment.

"What we're going to think about now is to enjoy the win today. We're really happy and proud of ourselves," said team captain Martin Odegaard, who banged the drum to set the pace for the postgame row.

"Hopefully we can keep dreaming, keep believing and keep performing like we did."

Antonio Nusa scored the opener in the first half with a stunning, curling kick for Norway.

"This is really a dream come true," Nusa said.

Amad Diallo, who had prevented Norway from taking a two-goal lead earlier in the second half, leveled things up for Les Elephants with a 74th-minute left-footed effort that came after he made a mazy run through a crowded Norwegian box.

Haaland restored the lead 12 minutes later, as three defenders converged on Patrick Berg as he moved into the penalty area with the ball. He manufactured a superb cross to a wide-open Haaland, who tapped the ball into an empty net.

It was a slow roll over the line after coming off his foot, though, forcing Haaland to lunge forward as if he might have to help it along.

It was Haaland's fifth goal in three games at this year's tournament and puts him one strike behind Argentina's Lionel Messi and France's Kylian Mbappe who both have six.

Haaland, who won last season's Premier League Golden Boot with 27 goals for Manchester City, has scored 25 goals in 13 straight competitive international games.

"To score five goals in the World Cup in three games, for a little country like Norway... I wouldn't swap him for anyone because he's the greatest goalscorer in the world of football today," Norway coach Stale Solbakken said.

"After their equalizer, it was easy to panic. But we got our players in the right position and managed to play our game again."

Cote d'Ivoire kept pressing, and had another chance to equalize with a direct freekick from Diallo in the sixth minute of stoppage time. The stinging shot forced a superb leaping save from Orjan Nyland.

Les Elephants had never before won twice in the same World Cup, and, like their opponent, were making just their fourth tournament appearance.

"We are proud for what we achieved," Diallo said. "But it's a big disappointment, because we know we have quality in the team, we have players that can make a difference anytime."

Not enough of one, though, to prevent Norway advancing to the last 16, and Sunday's meeting with Brazil at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

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