Antonio Nusa produced a moment of genuine brilliance to fire Norway into the lead against Ivory Coast in their World Cup round of 32 tie. The forward's sensational strike – described as 'a moment of real quality' – broke the deadlock as Erling Haaland and his teammates seek a place in the last 16.
The goal came in a match that forms part of a busy evening of World Cup action, with France also facing Sweden in their own knockout encounter. Both matches carry significant weight: the winners of Norway vs Ivory Coast will face Paraguay in the next round, a prospect that became even more enticing after Germany's surprise elimination.
“Antonio Nusa scores sensational goal to give Norway lead over Ivory Coast in World Cup last-32.”
Norway, led by Haaland, entered the tie as one of the tournament's intriguing sides, and Nusa's early intervention has given them the upper hand. The 20-year-old forward's strike was the kind of quality that can define a knockout game – a flash of individual skill that shifted momentum firmly in Norway's favour.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will need to respond quickly if they are to keep their World Cup hopes alive. The African side have the quality to trouble Norway, but Nusa's goal has set the stage for a compelling contest. With the last 16 now tantalisingly close for Norway, the pressure is on the Elephants to find an equaliser.