Nusa stunner puts Norway ahead against run-of-play Côte d'Ivoire

The high-stakes FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash between Ivory Coast and Norway is currently underway at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with Norway holding a 1-0 lead in the first half. Neither team scored again in the first half

Despite an energetic start from the Ivorian side, it was Norwegian winger Antonio Nusa who found the breakthrough in the 39th minute. Nusa picked up the ball on the left wing, drove aggressively into the box, opened up his body, and curled a magnificent strike past Yahia Fofana into the top-right corner.

Before the goal, Norway's best opportunity came via an Alexander Sørloth cross, but Erling Haaland's downward header lacked the power to beat the Ivorian keeper. As the match approaches the halftime interval, the Elephants are pushing forward to find an equalizer in this historic first-ever international meeting between the two nations.