Ivory Coast vs Norway
Norway edges Ivory Coast in tight World Cup clash
Haaland's late strike seals a narrow 2-1 victory for Norway.
Norway secured a narrow 2-1 win over Ivory Coast in a closely contested World Cup match. A. Nusa gave Norway the lead before A. Diallo levelled for Ivory Coast, but E. Haaland's goal after the break proved decisive. The result matched Fipster's prediction perfectly, confirming the model's confidence in an away win.
Analysis
Ivory Coast and Norway meet in the Round of 32, both having secured six points from their group matches. With neither side hosting, this knockout encounter promises a competitive battle between two teams eager to progress.
Ivory Coast enter their fourth World Cup, having previously reached the group stage, while Norway also make their fourth appearance, with their best finish being the Round of 16 in 1998. Both teams qualified directly, with Ivory Coast topping their group with 26 points and Norway leading theirs with 24 points. Norway's squad boasts a moderate calibre edge, featuring 17 players in top-five European leagues including Erling Haaland, compared to Ivory Coast's 12 players such as Nicolas Pépé.
Norway's recent form is impressive, with 2.571 points per game and a +3.143 goal difference over the last 12 months, slightly better than Ivory Coast's 2.286 points per game and +1.857 goal difference. Norway's attacking threat is spearheaded by Haaland, who has been prolific in recent matches, while Ivory Coast rely on key players like Pépé and Kessié. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Sangaré and Kessié expected to contest possession fiercely. Tactical discipline is likely, with a predicted total of three cards reflecting the knockout stakes.
Prediction
Expect Norway to take an early lead, going into halftime 1-0 up. Ivory Coast will respond, but Norway's quality and form should see them secure a 2-1 victory. The moderate calibre advantage and recent momentum favour the away side in this closely fought encounter.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
Haaland's Clinical Finishing vs Ivory Coast Defense
Haaland's exceptional scoring form (2.67 goals/game last 3) poses a major threat to Ivory Coast's defense, which concedes 1.34 goals/game.
Ivory Coast's Strong Away Scoring Streak
Ivory Coast has scored in last 3 away games, with key attackers Pépé and Kessié showing good form on the road.
Norway's Momentum Backed by Ødegaard's Creativity
Ødegaard's 4 assists in last 3 games and high passing accuracy boost Norway's attacking threat and goal creation.
Midfield Battle Key with Sangaré and Kessié
Both midfielders exceed league averages in tackles and passing, crucial for controlling game tempo and transitions.
No Significant Injuries Affecting Starting Lineups
Both teams have full squads available, ensuring strongest possible lineups and tactical consistency.
Key Takeaways
This Round of 32 fixture promises a tight contest with Norway's superior squad depth and recent performances giving them the edge. Ivory Coast will not go quietly, but Norway's clinical finishing and creative midfield play are likely to be decisive.
- Ivory Coast have appeared in 3 prior World Cups, never advancing past the group stage.
- Norway have also made 3 prior World Cup appearances, with their best finish being the Round of 16 in 1998.
- Both teams qualified directly for the 2026 World Cup, topping their respective qualifying groups.
- Norway's squad includes 17 players in top-five European leagues, compared to Ivory Coast's 12.
- Norway's recent form shows 2.571 points per game and a +3.143 goal difference over the last 12 months.
- Ivory Coast's recent form is strong with 2.286 points per game and a +1.857 goal difference.
- The match is a Round of 32 knockout, increasing the stakes and tactical caution.
- Neither team is hosting the tournament, so no home advantage applies.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Ivory Coast
Away — Norway
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
FIFA world ranking
Nusa
Assist: Ødegaard
Nusa
Yellow Card
Bonny
Inao Oulaï
Sørloth
Nusa
Diallo
Assist: Pépé
Pedersen
Haaland
Assist: Berg
Pépé
Konan
Diomande
Match Statistics
Ivory Coast
4-1-4-1Starting XI
- 1Y. FofanaG
- 3G. KonanD
- 7O. KossounouD
- 8F. KessiéM
- 9A. BonnyF
- 11Y. DiomandeM
- 17G. DouéD
- 18I. SangaréM
- 19N. PépéM
- 20E. AgbadouD
- 26C. Inao OulaïM
Substitutes
- 2O. DiomandeD
- 4J. SeriM
- 5W. SingoD
- 6S. FofanaM
- 10S. AdingraF
- 12E. WahiF
- 13C. OperiD
- 14O. DiakitéF
- 15A. DialloF
- 16M. KonéG
- 21E. NdickaD
- 22E. GuessandF
- 23A. LafontG
- 24B. TouréF
- 25P. GuiagonM
Norway
4-3-3Starting XI
- 1Ø. NylandG
- 3K. AjerD
- 5D. Møller WolfeD
- 6P. BergM
- 7A. SørlothF
- 8S. BergeM
- 9E. HaalandF
- 10M. ØdegaardM
- 16M. PedersenD
- 17T. HeggemD
- 20A. NusaF
Substitutes
- 2M. ThorsbyM
- 4L. ØstigårdD
- 11J. Strand LarsenF
- 12S. TangvikG
- 13E. SelvikG
- 14F. AursnesM
- 15F. BjørkanD
- 18K. ThorstvedtM
- 19T. AasgaardM
- 21A. SchjelderupF
- 22Oscar BobbM
- 23J. HaugeM
- 24S. LangåsD
- 25H. FalchenerD
- 26J. RyersonD
Ivory Coast
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Sangaré | M | 94 | 7.3 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Yan Diomande | M | 93 | 7.2 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 0/4 |
| Emmanuel Agbadou | D | 94 | 7.0 | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 1/1 |
| Yahia Fofana | G | 94 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Christ Inao Oulaï | M | 60 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0/2 |
| Nicolas Pépé | M | 87 | 6.9 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0/2 |
| Odilon Kossounou | D | 94 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Guéla Doué | D | 94 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| Ghislain Konan | D | 93 | 6.5 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3/4 |
| Franck Kessié(C) | M | 94 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| Ange-Yoan Bonny | F | 60 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Wilfried Singo | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jean Michaël Seri | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Alban Lafont | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Christopher Operi | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ousmane Diomande | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bazoumana Touré | F | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Oumar Diakité | F | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Seko Fofana | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Evan Ndicka | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Simon Adingra | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mohamed Koné | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Parfait Guiagon | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Evann Guessand | F | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Amad Diallo | F | 34 | 9.2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1/1 |
| Elye Wahi | F | 34 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Norway
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Berg | M | 94 | 7.9 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — |
| Ørjan Nyland | G | 94 | 7.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kristoffer Ajer | D | 94 | 7.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Erling Haaland | F | 94 | 7.5 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0/3 |
| Martin Ødegaard(C) | M | 94 | 7.5 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1/2 |
| Antonio Nusa | F | 71 | 7.2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/7 |
| Alexander Sørloth | F | 71 | 6.9 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 0/3 |
| Torbjørn Heggem | D | 94 | 6.9 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Sander Berge | M | 94 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Marcus Pedersen | D | 83 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| David Møller Wolfe | D | 94 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Leo Østigård | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Julian Ryerson | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Morten Thorsby | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jørgen Strand Larsen | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Fredrik André Bjørkan | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jens Petter Hauge | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Egil Selvik | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kristian Thorstvedt | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Henrik Sælebakke Falchener | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sander Tangvik | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sondre Langås | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Thelo Aasgaard | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Oscar Bobb | M | 23 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| Fredrik Aursnes | M | 11 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Andreas Schjelderup | F | 23 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1/1 |