By Toby TAIWO
Top coach Jurgen Klopp believed Cote d’Ivoire deserved to win the match against Norway saying they created better chances.
The African side lost 2-1 to Norway in a game sealed by Erling Haaland with a late winning goal.
He said: “Football can be unbelievably cruel because today, in my opinion, the better team went home. When I watched that match from start to finish, I felt Ivory Coast controlled more of the game, created the better moments, and played with greater courage. Sometimes football doesn’t reward the team that deserves it most.
“I still have one big question for Mohammed Ouahbi. Why was Amad Diallo not on the pitch from the very beginning? The moment he came on, everything changed. He brought energy, imagination and belief. He scored the equaliser, won dangerous fouls, and every time he touched the ball, Norway looked uncomfortable. That’s the influence of a special player.
“Then you look at that free kick… absolutely outstanding. The technique, the confidence, the intelligence—Amad Diallo is a footballer with incredible quality. Players like that can completely transform games, and today he almost dragged an entire nation back into the competition on his own.
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“But I don’t want Ivory Coast to leave this tournament with their heads down. They have shown the world something much bigger than a result. They showed fight, personality and resilience. They represented not only their country but African football with enormous pride. Every opponent now understands that facing an African nation is never going to be easy.
“Norway may celebrate tonight, and they deserve credit for finding a way through, but Ivory Coast leave this World Cup with respect. They proved they belong at this level. Sometimes football gives you victory, sometimes it gives you lessons. This team gave Africa another reason to believe, and I have no doubt they’ll come back even stronger.”
