Ivory Coast brace for Norway as Gervinho warns against self-inflicted wounds

Gervinho: Norway are not the threat, you are

Gervinho has one message for the squad before Wednesday's round of 32 match against Norway in Arlington: stay out of your own way. The former star warned that Ivory Coast's biggest opponent is not Erling Haaland, it is their own discipline and focus. The team enters the knockout stage for the first time in their history after finishing second in Group E behind Germany.

Diomande vs Haaland and Ødegaard

Yan Diomande will share the pitch with two of the Premier League's most recognized names. The rising winger, tracked by Liverpool and PSG, faces Haaland and Martin Ødegaard in Arlington. Norway captain Ødegaard has said he expects a different style of football from the Ivorians, and Diomande's speed on the counter could be your team's sharpest edge.

Brazil waiting in the last 16

Win this, and Brazil are next. Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time winner against Japan sent the Seleção through to the last 16. The prize for getting past Norway is a shot at one of the tournament favorites. But first, Arlington.

Fan reactions

Ivory Coast fans on Reddit are tracking the knockout bracket closely. Of the eight teams eliminated after the round of 16, only one CAF side (Egypt) is out, and no CAF team fell in the round of 32. That has supporters quietly confident about what this team can do with a clean performance against Norway. See the full elimination tracker