Ivory Coast – Norway – World Cup: review, forecasts and team line-ups

Taking part in their first World Cup since 1998, Norway are aiming to reach the round of 16 when they meet Ivory Coast on Tuesday.

It will be an even battle at Dallas Cowboys Stadium as Emers Fae’s side beat Ecuador and trouble Germany in the group stage.

Ivory Coast are enjoying being on the big stage for the first time in 12 years and have never reached the knockout stage before. Few considered Les Elephants to be a dark horse on the other side of the Atlantic, but so far Fae’s men have been an interesting team. A 2:0 victory over debutants Curacao in the third round allowed the team to leave Group E and take second place.

Norway head coach Stole Solbakken said a full rotation against France was necessary after his side secured their place in the last 16 with victories over Iraq and Senegal. Les Blais were thrashed 4-1 thanks to Ousmane Dembele’s first-half hat-trick, but Solbakken didn’t seem too upset by the expected defeat.

He is playing the long game and Norway are hoping to repeat the success of 1998, when they reached the round of 16 for the first time since 1938.

Score forecast Ivory Coast vs Norway

Haaland leads Norway to victory

Erling Haaland has a sensational record for the national team. | Al Bello/Getty Images

While France played it safe in the third round, Norway settled for second place in the group of death and on paper it looked like a tough draw.

It has already beaten the African opposition once this summer, and Ivory Coast will mount a similar challenge to Senegal on Tuesday. Norway’s ability to create quality chances has been key to its success, with an xG per shot of 0.18 the highest in the tournament per shot. choose.

Les Elephants’ dynamism and balance should not be discounted: their performances in the group stage, including a comfortable win over Curacao last time out, only raise hopes that they could be a real dark horse for the 2026 World Cup.

• Haaland’s record in Norway: The Manchester City striker is a three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner and is aiming for even greater individual glory this summer. Having scored braces in Norway’s wins over Iraq and Senegal to start the tournament, Haaland is hunting Lionel Messi in the race for the World Cup Golden Boot. He hit the big stage with four goals in North America taking his tally for Norway to 59 in just 52 appearances.
• Rest or rust? Ståle Solbakken essentially sacrificed victory over France on matchday three to secure this draw: 10 changes to his starting line-up mean his strongest squad should be well-rested for the start of the knockout stages. The relatively quick turnaround means they are unlikely to be compromised by rust in Dallas, but a dynamic Ivory Coast could catch them off guard in the early stages.
• Norway’s defensive vulnerability: We’re not going to read too much into France’s defeat given the number of changes, but Norway has been struggling defensively for a while now. She has recorded just one clean sheet in 10 games and Ivory Coast, given its attacking talent, should trouble the Scandinavians on Tuesday, especially if Norway are without Ryerson at right-back.

Prediction: Ivory Coast 1–2 Norway

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Predicted Ivory Coast line-up for the match against Norway

Ivory Coast brings flair to the attack. | Sports Illustrated

Highly regarded Yann Diomande teased his obvious talent at the tournament without dominating and he heads into Tuesday’s bout following reports that he has chosen Paris Saint-Germain as his ideal next destination. Liverpool are also interested, but Diomande wants two European champions in a row.

The young striker forms just one third of a fluid, interchangeable attack led by the experienced Nicolas Pepe, who scored both goals in Ivory Coast’s victory over Curacao.

Ibrahim Sangare and Franck Kessier are two notable players in midfield, while Ousmane Diomande plays a pivotal role in Emers Fae’s defence.

Wilfried Singo is a doubt with a hamstring injury and the versatile defender is yet to train ahead of Tuesday’s match.

Predicted Ivory Coast line-up for the match against Norway (4-2-3-1): Fofana; Douay, Kosunu, Diomand, Conan; Sangare, Cassie; Amad, Ulay, Diomand; Pepe

Predicted Norway lineup for the match with Ivory Coast

Erling Haaland leads the line. | Sports Illustrated

Right-back Julian Ryerson has been crucial for Solbakken’s side, but he is currently nursing a thigh injury and was not in the squad for the match against France as a result.

As it stands, it is unlikely that Ryerson will be able to play in the round of 16. Midfielder Fredrik Orsnes can replace him.

Solbakken’s strongest squad will return here, although using Orsnes in defense could open the door for Rangers’ Telo Aasgaard to start alongside Martin Odegaard and Sander Berge in Norway’s midfield. Another option is Bedo/Glimt captain Patrick Berg.

Antonio Nusa was a late loss to the French and will start on the left wing in Dallas. The Noosa tournament hasn’t started yet, but luckily for Norway Erling Haaland didn’t leave his shooting boots in Manchester.

Norway predicted the lineup for the match. Ivory Coast (4-3-3): Newland; Aursnes, Aer, Heggem, Wulf; Odegaard, Berge, Hosgaard; Sørloth, Haaland, Noosa.

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What time does the Ivory Coast – Norway match start?

• Location: Arlington, Texas, USA.
• Stadium: AT&T Stadium
• Date: Tuesday, June 30
• Match start time: 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT / 6:00 PM BST.
• Referee: Jesus Noel Valenzuela Saez (VEN)

How to watch Ivory Coast vs Norway match live on TV

• MORE: Full list of broadcasters around the world for Ivory Coast vs Norway

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