Norwegian midfielder Martin Ødegaard said what Messi was doing at his age was impressive and that Norway was happy to have a player of Haaland’s stature.
“There’s been some really good performances in this World Cup, especially from the strikers,” Ødegaard said. “Scoring goals is pretty important, as you said. Messi still going strong with his age is unbelievable. Haaland of course scoring goals every single time he plays almost, that’s amazing to have him on the team. We’re lucky to have him, and it’s just about giving him as many opportunities as possible.”
Norway striker Erling Haaland and Ivory Coast defender Odilon Kossounou fight for possession of the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout match on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. Amanda McCoy FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
Haaland, along with Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, who all also have four goals scored entering Tuesday, are chasing the Argentine star for a chance to win the Golden Boot, awarded the World Cup’s top goalscorer.
Haaland had several prime opportunities for a goal but was unable to cash in. After Antonio Nusa scored the game’s first goal, Haaland had a chance to put Norway up 2-0 but couldn’t get enough power on the ball after it was deflected to find the back of the net.
Haaland also had a couple of opportunities off corners where he was able to score a header but failed to convert. He finished the first half with three shots, which led both teams, and one shot on goal.
Despite not scoring, Haaland’s presence was felt with the Ivory Coast side constantly having to account for the 6-foot-5 striker in the first half.
In the second half, Haaland almost had a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper, but the ball sailed too far ahead of him.
Norway striker Erling Haaland (9) heads the ball away from the goal during a corner kick by Ivory Coast during the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout match between Norway and Ivory Coast on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. Amanda McCoy FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
After an Ivory Coast equalizing goal in the 74th minute, Norway was in desperate need of an answer, and who else but Haaland would score the goal to send the Vikings to the round of 16.
He scored the goal on a tap-in after Patrick Berg drew three defenders before finding Haaland in front of the net for an easy finish.
Norwegian head coach Ståle Solbakken said no player in the world could do what Haaland does.
“I think he’s the greatest goalscorer in the world. I think there’s no doubt about that,” Solbakken said. “He had one big chance in the first half, and obviously scored the winning goal again. ... I think that he brings calmness to the team when you have a player like him who is ... very underrated in terms of keeping the ball. He didn’t lose one ball today.”
Haaland’s go-ahead goal helped Norway advance to the round of 16 for the first time since 1998. The Norwegians will face off with Brazil at 3 p.m. Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Game schedule dates, times, locations
NEXT UP: Game dates, times, locations, channel
Rangers ▶
June 22 Rangers 4, Miami 3
June 23 Miami 6, Rangers 4
June 24 Miami 4, Rangers 2
June 25 Rangers 6, Toronto 5
June 26 Rangers 5, Toronto 4
June 27 Rangers 7, Toronto 4
June 28 Rangers 3, Toronto 2
June 29 at Cleveland, 6:10 p.m., ESPN
June 30 at Cleveland, 5:40 p.m., RSN
July 1 at Cleveland, 12:10 p.m., RSN
July 2 vs. Detroit, 7:05 p.m., RSN
July 4 vs. Detroit, 3:05 p.m., RSN
July 5 vs. Detroit, 2:30 p.m., NBCSN, Peacock
Wings▶
June 17 Golden State 91, Wings 80
June 20 Wings 93, Chicago 92
June 22 Wings 112, Seattle 110 (OT)
June 25 Las Vegas 99, Wings 84
June 28 Minnesota 85, Wings 77
July 2 at Connecticut, 7 p.m., KFAA, Amazon Prime Video
July 5 at Toronto, 2 p.m., KFAA
July 7 at New York, 7 p.m., ESPN
July 10 vs. Toronto (at Montreal), 6:30 p.m., Ion
July 12 vs. Chicago (at American Airlines Center), 6 p.m., ESPN, Disney+
TCU Football ▶
2026 season
Aug. 29 vs. North Carolina (at Dublin), 11 a.m., ESPN
Sept. 12 vs. Grambling State, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Sept. 19 vs. Arkansas State, 7 p.m., ESPNU
Sept. 26 at Central Florida, TBA
Oct. 3 vs. BYU, TBA
Oct. 17 at Baylor, TBA
Oct. 24 vs. West Virginia, TBA
Oct. 31 vs. Kansas, TBA
Nov. 6 at Arizona, 9:15 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 14 vs. Kansas State, TBA
Nov. 21 vs. Utah, TBA
Nov. 26 at Texas Tech, 7 p.m., ESPN
Cowboys ▶
Sept. 13 at N.Y. Giants, 7:20 p.m., NBC
Sept. 20 vs. Washington, 3:25 p.m., Fox
Sept. 27 vs. Baltimore (at Rio de Janeiro), 3:25 p.m., CBS
Oct. 4 at Houston, 12 p.m., Fox
Oct. 8 vs. Tampa Bay, 7:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Oct. 18 at Green Bay, 7:20 p.m., NBC
Oct. 26 at Philadelphia, 7:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC
Nov. 1 vs. Arizona, 12 p.m., Fox
Nov. 8 at Indianapolis, 12 p.m., Fox
Nov. 15 vs. San Francisco, 3:25 p.m., Fox
Nov. 22 vs. Tennessee, 12 p.m., Fox
Nov. 26 vs. Philadelphia, 3:30 p.m., Fox
Dec. 7 at Seattle, 7:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC
Dec. 20 at L.A. Rams, 3:25 p.m., CBS
Dec. 27 vs. Jacksonville, 7:20 p.m., NBC
Jan. 3 vs. N.Y. Giants, 12 p.m., Fox
Jan. 9 or 10 at Washington, TBA
World Cup ▶
All local matches at AT&T Stadium
Group stage
June 14 Japan 2, Netherlands 2 (Group F)
June 17 England 4, Croatia 2 (Group L)
June 22 Argentina 2, Austria 0 (Group J)
June 25 Japan 1, Sweden 1 (Group F)
June 27 Argentina 3, Jordan 1 (Group J)
Knockout round
June 30 Norway 2, Ivory Coast 1 (round of 32)
July 3 Round of 32: Australia vs. Egypt, 1 p.m., Fox
Lawrence Dow is a digital sports reporter from Philadelphia. He graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from USC. He’s passionate about movies and is always looking for a great book. He covers the Texas Rangers and other sports.
