Who else but Haaland! Has ace striker stolen late winner against resilient Ivory Coast?

Norway might have stolen a late winner against the Ivory Coast, with Erling Haaland making it 2-1 for the Europeans with a tap-in in their FIFA World Cup round of 32 clash at the Dallas Stadium.

Substitute Oscar Bobb played a delightful ball into the box for Partrick Berg, who found Haaland unmarked in the box with a pull back, and the Manchester City striker scored in the 86th minute despite not getting a clean touch.

Amad Diallo had equalised for the African side with a 74th-minute strike. The Manchester United winger was introduced in the 60th minute and got on the scoresheet by cutting in from the right before chopping onto his left and poking it past Nyland.

The Norwegians had led through a wonder goal from Antonio Nusa in the 39th minute. The RB Leipzig winger cut inside from the left and spotted an opening between two defending Ivorians. He still had to beat Yahia Fofana, but did the goalkeeper really have a chance with a sumptuous curler that sneaked into the far corner?

Until Nusa broke the deadlock, the African heavyweights had repeatedly knocked on the Viking doors, with their wily wingers Yan Diomande and Nicolas Pepe dancing into the box but failing to apply the finish.

Norway would hope to get the job done in regulation time and avoid the fate of two other Europeans, the Netherlands and Germany, who flirted with danger and lost in shootouts to Morocco and Paraguay respectively, in the round of 32.

To their advantage, the Norwegians have a well-rested squad. Stale Solbakken has made 10 changes to the side that lost 1-4 to the French in their last group match, with ace attacker Haaland and skipper Martin Odegaard starting. The Ivorians have made three changes with Ghislain Konan and Emmanuel Agbadou returning to the defence.