Haaland brace leads Norway past Iraq in 4–1 victory

Erling Haaland scored twice as the Norway national football team opened their World Cup campaign with a dominant 4–1 victory over Iraq national football team on Tuesday, marking their first appearance at a major tournament in 26 years.

The Manchester City striker struck in the 29th minute in Boston to give Norway the lead, before Iraq equalised through Aymen Hussein’s header.

Haaland restored Norway’s advantage before half-time after capitalising on a defensive error, taking his international tally to 57 goals in just 51 appearances.

Match dominance and turning points

Iraq responded bravely after conceding, with Hussein rising highest to level the score following a well-delivered cross from Amir Al-Ammari.

However, Norway regained control just before the break when a defensive mistake by Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan allowed Haaland to pounce on a loose backpass and bundle the ball into the net.

Despite spells of pressure from Iraq, including efforts from Ali Al-Hamadi and Akam Hashim, Norway maintained composure and extended their lead in the second half.

Norway seal victory

Defender Leo Østigård added a third goal in the 76th minute, heading in from a Martin Ødegaard corner shortly after coming off the bench.

Norway completed the rout in stoppage time when Hussein inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, sealing a 4–1 result for the Europeans.

The win placed Norway top of Group I on goal difference, level on three points with France, who defeated Senegal 3–1 in their opening fixture.

Haaland leads golden generation

Norway’s return to football’s biggest stage has been built around a “golden generation” led by Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Martin Ødegaard.

Head coach Ståle Solbakken said before the tournament that Haaland was expected to make a “very big impact” at his first major finals, a prediction quickly validated by the striker’s performance.

Norway last featured at the World Cup in 1998, when Solbakken was part of the squad that famously defeated Brazil in the group stage.

Iraq’s long road back

For Iraq, the match marked a return to the World Cup after 38 years, following a difficult qualification journey that stretched over 867 days and 21 matches.

Despite the defeat, the team showed resilience in phases of the game, creating several chances and testing Norway’s defence.

However, defensive lapses proved costly against a clinical Norwegian side led by one of world football’s most lethal forwards.

Next fixtures

Norway will next face France in a highly anticipated Group I clash in New Jersey on 22 June, while Iraq will seek to bounce back in their next group fixture.