Erling Haaland spent much of the evening waiting for his moment. When it finally came, he made sure Norway’s World Cup dream stayed alive.

The Manchester City striker struck late to give Norway a dramatic 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire in the Round of 32, sending Ståle Solbakken’s side into the last 16 and setting up a huge meeting with Brazil.

It was not Haaland’s cleanest performance. For long periods, he was crowded out, starved of service and forced to drift away from the penalty area in search of involvement. But elite strikers do not need 10 chances to change a match. Sometimes they need one loose ball, one low cross, one half-yard of space.

Haaland found it with four minutes of normal time remaining, forcing the ball over the line to break Ivorian hearts and seal Norway’s first World Cup knockout-stage victory.

Nusa gives Norway the platform

Norway had taken the lead through Antonio Nusa, whose first-half finish gave them control of a tense knockout tie. The goal looked like it might be enough for a side that had arrived in the knockout rounds with belief, structure and one of the tournament’s most feared forwards.

But Côte d’Ivoire refused to disappear.

The African champions grew into the match and eventually found their response through Amad Diallo, whose second-half equaliser transformed the mood. Having already made a key defensive intervention, the winger produced a brilliant moment at the other end to drag his side level and put Norway under real pressure.

For a while, the momentum felt Ivorian. Norway looked stretched. Haaland looked frustrated. Extra time seemed likely.

Then Norway’s No 9 stepped forward.

Haaland delivers when it matters

Haaland’s winner was not a highlight-reel thunderbolt. It was scrappy, instinctive and decisive — exactly the kind of goal that wins knockout matches.

That is what makes him so dangerous. Even when he is quiet, he remains present. Even when defenders keep him under control for most of the match, the threat never fully disappears. One lapse, one cross, one late run, and the game can change.

This was his fifth goal of the tournament and arguably his most important yet. Norway have enjoyed a remarkable campaign, but this was the kind of night that demanded more than group-stage momentum. It demanded nerve.

Haaland provided it.

Côte d’Ivoire exit with pride

For Côte d’Ivoire, the defeat will sting. They played with courage, improved after the break and briefly looked capable of turning the match completely. Amad’s performance off the bench gave them life, while their attacking pressure caused Norway real problems in the final stages.

But knockout football is cruel. Good spells are not always enough. Missed chances, small defensive gaps and late lapses can end a tournament in seconds.

Côte d’Ivoire leave having shown they belonged on this stage. They pushed Norway hard and forced one of the world’s best strikers to produce a decisive moment. But in the end, they were undone by the player everyone feared before kick-off.

Brazil await

Norway’s reward is a last-16 clash with Brazil, a match that will test every part of Solbakken’s team.

They will need more control, more composure and better service into Haaland than they managed for much of this game. Brazil will punish long spells of passivity in a way few teams can. But Norway now have something powerful on their side: belief.

They have survived pressure. They have won a knockout match. They have Haaland scoring when the stakes are highest.

That makes them dangerous.

The Final Third verdict

This was not Norway at their fluent best, but it may be the result that defines their tournament.

Haaland was contained, frustrated and quiet for long spells. Then, when Norway needed him most, he became inevitable again. That is what separates great goalscorers from ordinary ones.

Côte d’Ivoire pushed them to the edge, but Norway found a way through. Now Brazil await, and the challenge becomes even bigger.

For Norway, the longboat rows on. For Haaland, the World Cup story is only getting louder.