Erling Haaland labelled Norway’s World Cup round of 32 win over Ivory Coast as “unbelievable” and “incredible” as they now prepare to face Brazil.
Haaland scored an 86th-minute winner as Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 at Dallas Stadium, with Antonio Nusa and Amad Diallo also scoring for their respective sides.
Norway have won a World Cup knockout stage game for the very first time; they are the first European nation to progress from a knockout tie at the finals for the first time since Ukraine in 2006.
Haaland, meanwhile, has scored in each of his last 13 competitive internationals for Norway, scoring 25 goals in this run and taking his overall tally to 60 in 53 matches.
However, with a huge clash against Brazil up next for Norway, Haaland claims the pressure is now off for his side.
“It’s history, it feels unbelievable,” Haaland told FIFA.
“We managed to qualify for the first time in 28 years, we managed to go through the group stage and now we’ve managed to go through to the next round and meet Brazil in New York.
“It’s incredible, so now everything is a bonus. Now we can play with our shoulders down and just enjoy it because I don’t think we’ll ever have this feeling again.”
13 – Erling Haaland has scored in each of his last 13 competitive internationals for Norway, scoring 25 goals in this run.
Inevitable. pic.twitter.com/q4Vcurxy6n
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 30, 2026
Norway won the expected goals (xG) battle 1.9 to 1.49, despite Ivory Coast recording more shots (14 to nine) and touches in the opposition box (48 to 26).
Stale Solbakken praised Ivory Coast’s performance, but believes his side were still better on the day.
“I think it was a very even game,” the Norway boss told FIFA.
“These are two good teams and it could have gone both ways, but we finished off the game strongly and managed to come back after the 1-1.
“They had a good free kick towards the end, and situations in which they could have scored, but all in all, I think maybe we were a little bit better than them, but praise for Ivory Coast, who played a very good game.
“It’s the first time for Norway that we’ve won in the knockout rounds, so we have to take that on board. Now we can rest a little bit and prepare for Brazil.”
