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Never in history. It is with that clean slate that Ivory Coast and Norway take the field this Tuesday, 30 June, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The ball rolls at 6pm (Brasília time). On one side, a defence that let almost nothing through. On the other, the most fearsome attack of the tournament so far. The Elephants make history before even playing Reaching the knockout stage is already an unprecedented feat for Ivory Coast. In 2006, 2010 and 2014, the Ivorian side fell at the group stage in all three World Cup appearances. This time, coach Emerse Fae built a solid and pragmatic team, which conceded only two goals in three games. The campaign was marked by plot twists at both ends of the clock. Amad Diallo came on at half-time against Ecuador in Philadelphia and decided it in stoppage time: 1-0, a perfect debut. Six days later, fate turned: Deniz Undav scored with the last shot of the game to give Germany a 2-1 win in Toronto, the only Ivorian defeat in the group stage. The response came right after. Nicolas Pepe scored twice against Curaçao, and Ivory Coast confirmed qualification as runners-up of Group E with six points. The captain is Franck Kessie, 105 caps and 16 goals for the national team. The only doubt in the squad is Wilfried Singo, the Galatasaray right-back, who awaits medical clearance. Guela Doue filled the position well during the group stage and holds the post without trouble should his teammate not be confirmed. A rested Haaland is a different problem Norway arrive with a different profile. Eight goals scored in three games, with Erling Haaland as the absolute protagonist: two against Iraq in the 4-1 opening win, plus two against Senegal in the 3-2 of the second round. Four goals in two games. The Manchester City striker was rested in the last round, a 4-1 defeat to France, when coach Ståle Solbakken rotated practically the whole squad with qualification already secured. Martin Ødegaard also sat out that game. The two return to the starting line-up this Tuesday, which makes this Norway noticeably more dangerous than any version Ivory Coast could study on video. In the two wins at full strength, the Scandinavians scored seven goals - an average of more than three per match. Solbakken's only defensive concern is Julian Ryerson of Borussia Dortmund, who left injured against Senegal. Marcus Holmgren Pedersen came on in his place in that match, opened the scoring and should keep the spot at right-back. In goal, Ørjan Nyland reclaims the post after Egil Selvik played in the reserves' match. What to expect from the duel The contrast is clear: the Ivorian defensive organisation against the Norwegian offensive power. Ivory Coast did not go a single match without scoring in this World Cup. Norway, in turn, conceded goals in both wins playing with a full team - against Iraq and against Senegal. That suggests space on both sides. Haaland and Ødegaard on the pitch together, fresh and motivated, raise the danger level of a team that was already lethal. But Amad Diallo's speed on the counter-attack and the solidity of Fae's block ensure the Elephants do not come only to defend. First meeting in history. It could be the best game of the round.

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