2026 FIFA World Cup | Round of 32 | Tuesday June 30
- C么te d’Ivoire 1-2 Norway
C么te d’Ivoire’s historic FIFA World Cup journey ended in heartbreak on Tuesday after a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 32, becoming the third African nation to exit the tournament’s knockout stage.
The Elephants bowed out at Dallas Stadium in Texas despite a spirited display that saw them enjoy more of the ball and create several chances. But Norway proved more clinical when it mattered most.
Antonio Nusa gave Norway the lead in the 39th minute, curling home a superb effort after being set up by Martin 脴degaard to send the Europeans into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
C么te d’Ivoire responded with determination after the break and found their reward when Amad Diallo finished brilliantly in the 74th minute to level the contest and reignite hopes of a famous comeback.
Those hopes lasted only a few minutes. Erling Haaland struck the winner in the 85th minute, breaking Ivorian hearts and sending Norway into the Round of 16.
The Elephants finished with 52 percent possession and 14 shots but were left to rue missed opportunities in a match where they matched Norway for long periods.
Although the defeat ends their World Cup campaign, C么te d’Ivoire leave the tournament with a milestone that will be remembered for years. The Elephants reached the knockout stage for the first time in the country’s history, a breakthrough that signals the progress of Ivorian football on the world stage.
The result also saw C么te d’Ivoire join South Africa and Tunisia among the African nations eliminated in the knockout rounds.
Norway, meanwhile, advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time and will face five time champions Brazil on July 5 for a place in the quarter-finals.
