Bony highlights Haaland’s ‘disappearing act’ in Norway’s World Cup win

Wilfried Bony believes Erling Haaland’s decisive goal in Norway’s 2-1 World Cup victory over Cote d’Ivoire demonstrated the quality that makes the Manchester City striker so difficult to contain.

Cote d’Ivoire had reached the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time, but its campaign ended in cruel fashion in the last 32. The Elephants appeared to be pushing towards a winning goal after Amad Diallo had equalised, only for Haaland to settle the tie in the 86th minute.

The Norway forward completed a flowing team move to send his side through, striking at the moment when Cote d’Ivoire seemed to have gained control of the match. For Bony, that pattern captured the most dangerous feature of Haaland’s game: the ability to remain quiet for long periods before deciding a contest.

“You have the impression he is not there and he is the one who punishes us,” Bony said, according to Afrik-Foot.

Bony has particular insight into both the centre-forward position and Manchester City. The former Cote d’Ivoire international played for the English club between 2015 and 2017, and has followed Haaland’s rise as the leading attacking reference point at the Etihad Stadium in recent seasons.

Haaland’s performance against Bony’s country left an especially strong impression because he was not constantly involved in the match. Cote d’Ivoire committed heavily to attack and increased the pressure after Diallo restored parity early in the final quarter.

Yet Bony viewed Haaland’s apparent absence from the game as a strength rather than a weakness. The Norwegian had already found opportunities before his late winner, including two chances created by crosses from Alexander Sørloth during the first half. He did not convert those openings, but continued to wait for another opportunity.

That patience became decisive as the match entered its closing stages. While Cote d’Ivoire pushed forward in search of the goal that would put the team ahead, Haaland remained ready to exploit the chance that eventually came his way.

Antonio Nusa had given Norway the lead before half-time, but Diallo’s equaliser changed the momentum of the contest. Cote d’Ivoire then appeared to be the more threatening side, creating the sense that the game could turn in its favour.

Instead, Haaland emerged at the worst possible moment for the Elephants. His 86th-minute finish completed Norway’s victory and ended Cote d’Ivoire’s first appearance in the World Cup knockout phase.

For Bony, the match offered a clear illustration of what separates elite goalscorers from other forwards. Haaland can disappear from view, allow the game to move around him and still retain the concentration required to attack one decisive opening.

That capacity to wait, then appear at precisely the right time, is the quality Bony associates with the very best finishers. Against Cote d’Ivoire, Haaland showed it once again.