Ivory Coast vs Norway
World Championship Match Preview & Prediction
Ivory Coast and Norway meet in the Round of 32 with a place in the World Championship last 16 at stake. Both nations progressed from competitive groups after collecting six points, setting up one of the most evenly matched knockout ties of the round.
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast
Ranked 33rd in the FIFA World Rankings, Ivory Coast finished second in Group E behind Germany on goal difference. The Elephants defeated Ecuador and Curaçao, while their only defeat came narrowly against Germany. Their balanced approach has produced four goals scored and only two conceded.
🇳🇴 Norway
Norway, ranked 31st, also finished second after winning two of their three group matches. Victories over Iraq and Senegal secured qualification before a heavy defeat to France. Despite that setback, Norway have impressed going forward with eight goals scored in three matches.
Both teams qualified directly from second place after winning two of their three group matches. The winner advances to the last 16, while the loser is eliminated.
By The Numbers
Norway #31
Norway 2W-0D-1L
Norway 8
Norway 7
Winner Advances
Norway's explosive attack against Ivory Coast's disciplined defensive structure could decide the contest. Haaland's movement inside the box will constantly test the Elephants, while Pépé and Diallo will look to exploit spaces behind Norway's advancing full-backs on the counterattack.
OVER 2.5
Both teams have shown they deserve to be in the knockout stage, but they arrive with contrasting momentum. Ivory Coast have looked solid defensively throughout the tournament, while Norway possess greater attacking firepower but have also shown vulnerability against elite opposition.
Expect a closely contested encounter with chances at both ends, but Norway's quality in the final third could prove decisive.