Cote d'Ivoire reached the knockouts for the first time in their history by finishing second in Group E, built on Emerse Fae's organisation and midfield control — two clean sheets and just two conceded across the group. Nineteen-year-old RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande is the breakout star, but finishing has been a problem throughout: the Ivorians create and control without reliably converting, and in a tight knockout that is a dangerous trait to carry.

Norway arrived as the tournament's entertainers, scoring eight and conceding seven on the back of Erling Haaland's four goals and Martin Odegaard's creativity. Crucially, Solbakken rested Haaland, Odegaard and Nusa in the dead-rubber 4-1 loss to France, so his key men are fresh for Arlington. The read keeps landing narrowly on Norway: Cote d'Ivoire can frustrate and enjoy spells of control, but against an opponent who needs only a half-chance — plus a set-piece threat — their inability to take their own openings should decide a tense one. A 0-1 to Norway, with extra time a real possibility if the Ivorians' back line holds.