Ivory Coast knocked out by Haaland winner, Kessie considers future

Norway 2–1 Ivory Coast, your World Cup is over

It hurts. Ivory Coast fell 2–1 to Norway in the World Cup round of 32 on Tuesday, knocked out after Haaland scored the winner (1). Your team made history just by reaching this stage, but that will sting for a long time.

Amad Diallo did not hide from it: "The second goal was too easy from our point of view. We gave Erling Haaland too much space, and when you leave a striker of that calibre unmarked, you pay for it in the end" (1).

Kessie: "It's like being on a boat that's sinking"

Franck Kessie is considering his Ivory Coast future (2). The captain spoke after the defeat. "It's difficult to make a decision in the heat of the moment, especially after such a disappointment," he said. "It's like being on a boat that's sinking at the moment" (2).

Ødegaard ran the show

Martin Ødegaard was the best player on the pitch, Norwegian media agreed, pulling the strings as your team struggled to contain Norway's build-up (3).

Pepe penalty shout waved away

Late in the match, Nicolas Pepe went down after contact from Andreas Schjelderup. Referee said no. Former referees chief Keith Hackett backed the call: "Not enough for me. Contact does take place in football, not a penalty for me in a game where the referee is officiating well" (4).

Haaland calls it "unbelievable"

Erling Haaland was euphoric. "It's history, it feels unbelievable," he said. Norway face Brazil in the last 16, their deepest World Cup run in 28 years (2). "Now everything is a bonus," Haaland added. "Now we can play with our shoulders down and just enjoy it because I don't think we'll ever have this feeling again" (2).

Fan-reaktioner

The mood is raw. One thread captured Norway's dressing room celebrations, and the contrast said everything about how this one landed. See the thread here.