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Antonio Nusa becomes Norway youngest major tournament goal-scorer as Erling Haaland fires team past Ivory Coast to set up FIFA World Cup clash with Brazil.
Antonio Nusa celebrates after scoring during the World Cup round of 32 game against Ivory Coast (Picture credit: AP)
Star winger Antonio Nusa on Tuesday broke former striker Steffen Iversen’s record to become Norway’s youngest goalscorer at a major tournament.
At 21 years and 74 days, Nusa became Norway’s youngest-ever scorer at a major tournament, breaking the record held by Iversen, who was 23 years and 216 days when he scored against Spain at EURO 2000.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland restored Norway’s lead with an 86th-minute strike, extinguishing Ivory Coast’s hopes of a comeback after Amad Diallo had cancelled out Nusa’s opener.
Norway, defeated in both of their previous Round of 16 appearances in 1938 and 1998, will take on Brazil on Sunday, July 5, with a place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals at stake.
Haaland will head into the clash full of confidence after taking his FIFA World Cup tally to five goals, leaving him just one behind joint top scorers Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
Ivory Coast almost forced extra time in stoppage time, but goalkeeper Orjan Nyland produced a superb save to deny Diallo’s curling free-kick that was headed for the top corner.
The win against Ivory Coast vindicated Norway coach Stale Solbakken, who had come under heavy fire for resting Haaland and fielding a second-string team in last week’s 4-1 thrashing by France in their final group-stage game.
Who Is Antonio Nusa?
The 21-year-old Nusa, who plays as a winger for RB Leipzig and the Norway national team, is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world football.
Nusa started his football journey at Langhus before joining Stabæk’s youth academy at 13, signing his first professional contract with the club in May 2020.
Nusa trained with Stabæk’s senior team in early 2021 before signing a new three-year deal that May. He made his Eliteserien debut against Rosenborg on May 30, scored his first league goal against Bodø/Glimt on June 27 and announced himself with two goals on his first full start against Viking FK just three days later.
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