One moment of individual brilliance. That is all it took. Norway go into the break leading Ivory Coast 1–0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 32 clash at the Dallas Stadium, and they have Antonio Nusa to thank for it.
For 38 minutes, this contest refused to break open. Ivory Coast pressed, probed, and came close. Then Nusa settled it — at least for now.
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™ history unfold live. Stream every knockout match on ZEE 5 — get the ZEE 5 FIFA Subscription Quarterly Plan at ₹799 and don’t miss a single minute.
The Opening: Ivory Coast on the Front Foot
Les Éléphants did not come here to sit back. From the first whistle, Ivory Coast pushed high and wide, with Yan Diomandé causing problems down the left flank in the opening exchanges. The tempo was measured — both sides sizing each other up — but the intent was clear.
Set pieces gave Ivory Coast their best early openings. Multiple corner kicks in the first 15 minutes kept Norway’s backline honest, and a sharp Nicolas Pépé cross in the 15th minute forced Torbjørn Heggem into a vital clearing header under pressure. It was precisely the kind of moment that could have opened the scoring had the delivery been a fraction sharper.
The closest Ivory Coast came was in the 20th minute. Left-back Ghislain Konan burst past Marcus Holmgren Pedersen and struck a powerful left-footed effort from inside the box. It rattled the outside of the netting. Konan knew immediately. The Ivory Coast bench groaned.
39′ — The Goal: Nusa’s Magic
Norway were patient in the first half but not passive. Erling Haaland made his presence felt in aerial duels, and in the 37th minute he registered his second attempt — Alexander Sørloth picking him out with a cross, only for Haaland’s header to go straight at goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
One moment of quality ended the deadlock. Martin Ødegaard found Antonio Nusa with a precise pass, and Nusa did the rest. He cut inside from the left, beat Pépé with a sharp touch, and curled a right-footed strike into the far top corner. Fofana had no chance.
It was the goal this match deserved — not a scramble, not a set piece, but pure quality. Nusa, 21 years old, playing on the biggest stage knockout football offers, and making it look simple.
Another danger came a few minutes after the goal. At the 43rd minute, Sørloth won a knockdown in the box and fed Haaland just yards out. A second Norway goal looked inevitable. Emmanuel Agbadou did not see it that way. As Haaland struggled to adjust his footing, Agbadou threw himself in and made the clearance. It was the kind of intervention that could define a knockout tie.
The only footnote: Nusa was booked in the 45th minute for a foul before the whistle. He starts the second half on a yellow card. For Ivory Coast, that is information worth filing away.
What Ivory Coast Need in the Second Half
Ivory Coast have not conceded the first goal of a match in this tournament before tonight. It is unfamiliar territory. But they are also a team built for moments — Diomandé has already shown that in the group stage. One chance, one touch of quality, and this tie changes completely.
The question for the second half is whether Ivory Coast can find that moment before Norway finds a second. Nusa, on a yellow card, limits his aggression. Haaland remains a constant threat on anything that goes into the box. But Agbadou’s clearance showed that this Ivory Coast side has the defensive resolve to see this game out.
Norway lead. Ivory Coast are not done.
Watch every second of Ivory Coast vs Norway live on ZEE 5 — India’s home of FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.
