Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer played the full 90 minutes as Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 to reach the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 28-year-old started at centre-back in Dallas as Ståle Solbakken’s side secured Norway’s first World Cup knockout-stage victory.

Antonio Nusa opened the scoring six minutes before half-time, cutting inside from the left before bending a composed finish into the corner.

Ivory Coast had threatened earlier in the half, but Ajer produced an important defensive intervention to turn Nicolas Pépé’s back-post effort over the bar.

The African side continued to push after the break and levelled through Manchester United forward Amad Diallo in the 74th minute. Amad combined with Pépé on the right before working his way into the penalty area and finishing low beyond Ørjan Nyland.

But Norway found a late winner through Erling Haaland, who turned home Patrick Berg’s low delivery from close range in the 86th minute.

Nyland then made an important save from Diallo’s stoppage-time free-kick as Norway held firm to book their place in the next round.

Ajer and Norway will now face Igor Thiago’s Brazil in the round of 16 on Sunday 5 July (9pm kick-off BST) in New Jersey.

Brazil booked their place in the last 16 with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Japan on Monday evening, with Thiago named among the substitutes.

Kaishu Sano had given Japan a first-half lead in Houston, before Casemiro equalised with a header shortly after the restart.

Gabriel Martinelli then scored the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time to send Carlo Ancelotti’s side through.

The tie between Brazil and Norway, which will be played on Sunday 5 July (9pm kick-off BST), means at least one Brentford player will be represented in the World Cup quarter-finals.