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The odds favored Norway
Norway struck first through Antonio Nusa in the first half, before Amad Diallo equalized for Ivory Coast in the 74th minute. Erling Braut Haaland put the finishing touch on the win when he made it 2–1 to Norway after 85 minutes, his fifth goal of the tournament.
Norway went into Tuesday's round of 32 match against Ivory Coast as the clear favorite. On the world's largest betting platform, Polymarket, the probability of Norway advancing to the next knockout round stood at 64%, compared with 37% for Ivory Coast. A total of 45% of bettors backed Norway to win in regular time, while 27% backed Ivory Coast and 30% predicted a draw.
Norway opened the group stage in the cup with a 4–1 victory over Iraq, followed by a 3–2 win against Senegal, securing a place in the round of 32 before the final group match against France. Norway opted to field a weakened side against France and accepted a calculated 1–4 defeat, read more.
Before Tuesday's matches, France was the tournament favorite with a 28% chance of winning the title, while Norway ranked 10th at 2% and Ivory Coast 17th at 0.4%.
Norway will face Brazil in the round of 16 in New Jersey on July 5. It will be a special occasion, as one of the greatest moments in Norwegian sporting history was written in Marseille in 1998. Back then, Norway pulled off a sensational 2–1 win over Brazil in the group stage, sending Norwegians dancing samba in the streets. Norway were later knocked out by Italy in the round of 16.
The Viking Army behind the team
Behind the Norwegian team stands the Viking Army, the supporters that has attracted widespread attention throughout the tournament.
Inspired by Norway's Viking heritage, thousands of supporters row with invisible oars as they cheer on the national team. Led by the beat of drums, they row in unison like the crew of a Viking ship. The rowing chant has become more than a celebration – it symbolizes not only the bond between the team and its supporters, but also unity across the nation.
As the Viking rowing tradition has spread across social media and international television broadcasts, millions of viewers have been introduced to a distinctly Norwegian supporter culture, now widely known as the Viking Row, learn more about this unique phenomenon.
Nationwide celebrations in Norway
Norway's appearance at the FIFA World Cup is its first since 1998, bringing the national team back to football's biggest stage after a 28-year absence. Celebrations began as soon as qualification was secured and have grown with every match.
Victory over Ivory Coast sets the stage for nationwide celebrations unlike almost anything Norway has experienced before – on one of the warmest, longest and brightest summer evenings of the year, in the land of the midnight sun. During the winter, Norwegians head for the forests, mountains and ski trails. In summer, parks, beaches, waterfronts and boats fill with people making the most of the sun.
Although Norway is internationally known as a skiing nation, football is by far the country's biggest sport, with approx 400K registered members in the Football Federation, compared with approx 100K in the Ski Federation.
Hardly any sporting events have brought the country together on this scale since the Lillehammer Winter Olympics in 1994, an event that marked a turning point in Norway's international reputation. Reaching the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup will rank among the greatest moments in Norwegian sporting history, regardless of what happens next.
Norway now awaits the next knockout round with growing anticipation. More and more people are beginning to believe in what few dared hope when the tournament began – that Norway can go all the way and win the FIFA World Cup.
SOURCES
Polymarket
Polymarket
World Cup GamesReuters
Ecstatic Norway squad celebrate World Cup progress with Viking RowCulture Unbound
Nation Branding and the Lillehammer OlympicsReuters
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