Online Reporter
Cote d’lvoire head coach Emerse Fae is targeting a deep run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as he plots a way past Norway in the round of 32 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, tonight.
Kick-off is at 7pm (Zimbabwean time).
The Elephants qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in their history when they finished runners-up to Germany in Group E.
Fae’s side got off to a positive start after beating Ecuador 1-0 on June 15 courtesy of Amad Diallo’s 90th-minute winner before they squandered the lead to lose 2-1 to Germany five days later, with a brace from Deniz Undav (68’, 90+4’) undoing Franck Kessie’s 30th-minute opener.
However, the West Africans bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Curacao on June 21 thanks to a Nicolas Pepe double (7’, 64’) which saw them finish level on six points with Die Mannschaft.
Landslaget made it out of the group phase for the third time after securing second spot in Group I with a record of two wins and one loss, spearheaded by star striker Erling Haaland.
Stale Solbakken’s side made short work of Iraq in their opening match, with Haaland (29’, 43’) bagging a brace in a 4-1 success on June 17 and he got his name on the scoresheet twice again as they defeated Senegal 3-2 six days later.
The Scandinavians put up a fight against France on June 26, but ultimately lost 4-1, although things could have been very different had Jorgen Strand Larsen not missed his penalty in the 50th minute to make it 3-2.
What was said:
Cote d’lvoire head coach Emerse Fae:
“Pride is the first word that comes to mind. We knew we could do it, and we also knew it was going to be difficult. We did it.
“On top of that, we finished second. We’re happy and proud, but we’re looking even further ahead. We’re going to rest up well for our next match.
“Cote d’lvoire deserves this, can enjoy it and can celebrate tonight. They (the fans) can keep cheering us on so we can go as far as possible.”
Players to watch:
Cote d’lvoire — Nicolas Pepe played a starring role in the win against the Blue Wave and was deservedly named Man of the Match. The 31-year-old winger scored his country’s fastest-ever goal at the World Cup and became only their second player to net twice in a single game after Aruna Dindane against Serbia and Montenegro in the 2006 edition. He had 55 touches on the ball and completed 40 of his 43 passes.
Norway — Erling Haaland is a contender for the Golden Boot as he trails top scorer Lionel Messi by just two goals.
The 25-year-old striker will be fresh for the clash in Arlington after being rested against Les Bleus. He has already scored an unbelievable 59 goals in just 52 appearances for his country and will fancy his chances against Ivory Coast after hitting the target with seven of his 10 shots and converting four of those.
Head-to-Head: N/A. — AFP Sport.
