The cup stage of the World Cup is underway, and on Sunday Canada became the first team to advance after victory against South Africa. Today it is Norway’s turn, but the opposition is tough.

The round of 16 match against Ivory Coast is only the second knockout match Norway has played in a football World Cup. The undersigned was present the last time, when Norway lost the round of 16 against Italy at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille on 27 June 1998.

On that occasion Norway delivered a terrible performance and lost 1-0 after an early goal by Vieira. Even the music selection was poor. Before the match against Italy, When Susannah Cries by Espen Lind blared out of the loudspeakers. Dull stuff that absolutely did not suit the situation. But some tears probably followed after that dismal match.

This was a major disappointment after the miracle at the same stadium a few days earlier, when Norway beat Brazil 2-1 with goals from Tore André Flo and Kjetil Rekdal.

On that day, 23 June, the music selection before the match suited the occasion far better: We got to hear DDE howling Her blir det liv – Rai Rai over the public address system. Spot on!

And indeed there was life after the Brazil match. Wild Norwegian supporters actually emptied Marseille of beer, something the port city had probably never experienced before.

Yesterday we saw Brazil beat Japan 2-1, and thus they will be the opponent Norway faces if we beat Ivory Coast. Then we witnessed none other than Germany crashing out of the World Cup after losing a penalty shoot-out against Paraguay, a pure scandal that will probably mean the end for the team’s manager Nagelsmann.

Last night it was the Netherlands’ turn. They must go home in shame after also exiting after extra time and penalties. But the Netherlands’ defeat was no surprise; after all, they faced the explosive Morocco.

But now it is Norway’s turn. They have a lot to watch out for; the talented Yan Diomande (19) on the left wing is one to keep an eye on. But Diomande is not alone.

Former Arsenal player Nicolas Pépé (31) on the right wing is dangerous. The team is led by the experienced midfielder and captain Franck Kessié (29), a former Barcelona player who has now sold himself to Saudi Arabia.

But Norway also field a very strong side, undoubtedly the best national team in our not particularly impressive football history.

Illustration (translated from the Norwegian original): Per Sørli

First half

Our heroes march onto the pitch in what looks like packed stands. They seem confident in themselves after the match is blown into life and have control of the ball in the first minutes. Haaland gets his first small chance after a nice and simple attack after about 2:20.

I do not like that Ødegaard gives the ball away shortly afterwards; it is time to sharpen up! But Ivory Coast cannot exploit the gross error.

Our right-back Holmgren Pedersen tackles Diomande well, until he stands like a statue under a cross instead of moving towards the ball. Diomande passes him easily, but fortunately cannot exploit the gift.

Ivory Coast are allowed into the game. A completely even match so far, says TV 2’s expert commentator after 20 minutes. Shortly afterwards the Africans get a good chance; Norway are playing with fire.

After almost 23 minutes Nusa fails to communicate with Wolfe, and neither of them tries to take the ball lying just in front of two Norwegian noses. Diomande reads the situation but is fortunately stopped by Wolfe.

Unforgivable, particularly by Nusa but also by Wolfe; that the latter escaped a yellow card is incomprehensible.
After the drinks break Ivory Coast get a big chance. Diomande is allowed to cross unchallenged, and no one marks the player at the far post. Norway should actually be behind here, but we are saved by luck.

This does not look good so far. Ivory Coast are in the process of dominating, while the Norwegian players seem unable to communicate and cooperate.

Nusa is completely useless, unfortunately; I actually like him as a player. Sørloth cannot even win headers, and the stars Ødegaard and Haaland are invisible.

Then Nusa finally does something right and sends a nice cross to Sørloth. But he cannot control the ball; it is scandalously poor stuff.

All the play is now in front of the Norwegian goal. This smells of catastrophe.

Then Sørloth actually manages to beat a player and crosses. Haaland gets in a header from a poor position, but it was a small improvement anyway.

Norway get into the game and manage to keep the ball. Nusa raises his level and has several good involvements. Then suddenly, in the 39th minute:

Nusa scores, Norway lead!

Nusa gets the ball on the left and does everything himself. He goes straight into the penalty area and elegantly places the ball in the top corner, unreachable for the keeper. Norway lead 1-0! A little undeserved, but who cares?

Arlington, Texas, USA 20260630.
Norway’s Antonio Nusa celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the round of 16 match between Ivory Coast and Norway in the 2026 Football World Cup at Dallas stadium. Photo: Fredrik Varfjell / NTB

Shortly afterwards Sørloth wins a duel on the five-metre line, but Haaland’s finish is blocked. From the resulting corner it is Sørloth who wastes a gigantic chance. The tall player is extremely weak in offensive heading; I have written that before.

Nusa receives an unnecessary yellow card after around 45 minutes, and from the free-kick cross Ivory Coast come close to scoring.

Norway go into half-time with the lead.

Second half

Ivory Coast look determined after the break and take control of the match. Norway are pushed back, but the big chances do not materialise in the first minutes. After 53 minutes Norway manage a good counter-attack, but the cross from the left goes over all the Norwegian attackers.

Shortly afterwards keeper Nyland has to save us after a shot from Pépé right outside the five-metre area.

After 57 minutes Norway get a free-kick in a good position on the edge of the penalty area. Ødegaard’s cross actually hits Sander Berge a few metres from goal, but Berge is not alert. He is a defensive midfielder after all; a good striker like Haaland would probably have scored here.

Tell any children you have who play football: Watch the ball! Always assume it is coming to you! PS: You have to say this at least a thousand times before the kids get the point.

The hour mark passes, and Norway hold the lead. A hint of irritating hope starts to bother me. Well, one just has to endure that pain.

Norway get a corner in the 65th minute. It ends with a gigantic opportunity for Norway. Heggem shoots from three or four metres, but some player clears it off the line. My God, how close we were to 2-0 there!

Then comes the drinks break, something I appreciate for once.

Then Ivory Coast equalise!

After 73 minutes the Manchester United player Amad Diallo glides through a terribly weak Norwegian defence and calmly places the ball in the net. It is not undeserved; Norway are simply not performing well enough.

Perhaps Haaland can think about waking up soon?

But then Haaland needs better crosses than the one Schjelderup delivers in the 78th minute. Keeper Fofana catches the ball straight in his hands. Schjelderup had a poor substitute appearance.

Then it happens!

A brilliant attack that starts with Ødegaard, created by substitute Oscar Bobb, who does well after coming onto the pitch. Bobb dribbles towards goal, it ends with a great pass to Patrick Berg, who makes no mistake.

He sends the ball in front of goal, and there stands Haaland, who scores his fifth goal of the World Cup about five minutes before full time. Good performances from several Norwegian players, and hope awakens!

This was Haaland’s 60th goal for the Norwegian national team! An absolutely incredible statistic, and the boy from Bryne on Jæren is still only 25 years old!

Full time is reached, but seven painful minutes have been added. Ivory Coast get a good chance after 1:20 of stoppage time, the heart skips a couple of beats, but it ends well. Still, the seconds pass incredibly slowly.

Almost 6 minutes into stoppage time Ivory Coast get a good free-kick from around 25 metres. But Nyland makes a masterful save. The pressure on the Norwegian goal continues, and Ivory Coast send keeper Fofana up for a corner in the last minute.

But then the referee blows the whistle! Norway are through and will face a mediocre Brazilian side on Sunday. It is a historic moment I did not think I would get to experience.

This is without doubt the greatest moment in Norwegian sports history, especially for those of us who are not really interested in sport, only football.

Today it is allowed to be a nationalist. We are red, white and blue echoes around the stadium. It has been a long time since I have felt such happiness! The players are allowed to celebrate with mead, like the old Vikings.

Illustration: Per Sørlie

Now all that remains is for France to crush those bloody Swedes later tonight. Unfortunately I have no champagne to celebrate with, but I do not need it. It is enough to see the national team heroes rowing with an enthusiastic crowd in Dallas.

On Sunday Norway face Brazil. The match kicks off at 22:00.