Haaland's 86th-minute strike sends Norway to first-ever World Cup round of 16

Erling Haaland struck in the 86th minute to give Norway a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on Tuesday, sending the Scandinavian nation to the World Cup round of 16 for the first time ever.

With three defenders closing down Patrick Berg as he drove into the penalty box, Berg slid the ball across to a wide-open Haaland, who converted to register his fifth goal in three games at this year’s tournament. It was the kind of clinical finish that has defined Haaland’s career — arriving at exactly the right moment when Norway needed him most.

Antonio Nusa had given Norway the lead earlier with a curling effort, but Arnard Diallo levelled in the 74th minute with a left-footed finish inside the penalty box after denying Norway a two-goal cushion earlier in the second half. Haaland’s late intervention ultimately proved the difference.

Norway are appearing in just their fourth World Cup and their first since 1998, when they last reached the knockout stage — also with a 2-1 comeback win over Brazil, widely regarded as the greatest result in Norwegian football history. That victory came after goals in the 83rd and 89th minutes against the then-reigning world champions.

The symmetry of their next fixture is not lost on anyone. Norway will face five-time champions Brazil in the round of 16 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — a rematch 28 years in the making.