Erling Haaland's Late Goal Secures Norway's Victory Over Ivory Coast in World Cup 2026
Haaland's Heroics in the FIFA World Cup
In a thrilling encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Erling Haaland disclosed that his stunning 86th-minute goal against Ivory Coast was fueled more by sheer exhaustion than tactical genius. The Manchester City star expressed that as the match approached its final moments, his primary concern was to avoid the fatigue of extra time.
Haaland shared his thoughts with Norwegian broadcaster TV2, stating, "I was completely drained, so I thought, 'We need to score to avoid extra time.'"
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) June 30, 2026
Norway initially took the lead with a goal from Antonio Nusa, but Amad Diallo equalized for Ivory Coast with an impressive solo effort before Haaland's decisive strike sealed a 2-1 win for Norway. This victory marked a significant milestone for Ivory Coast, as it was their first-ever knockout stage match in World Cup history.
Haaland's late goal not only spared him from the exhaustion of extra time but also etched his name in football history. He became the first player in 72 years to score in each of his first three World Cup starts, extending his remarkable scoring streak to 13 consecutive competitive matches for Norway.
With this goal, Haaland reached 60 international goals in just 53 appearances. Norway's hard-fought win propels them into the next round, where they will face the formidable Brazil, five-time world champions, in a highly anticipated Round of 16 match on July 5 in New York. Haaland will need to quickly regain his strength for this challenging encounter.