Haaland Shines on World Cup Debut, Norway Beats Iraq 4-1

Erling Haaland made a striking debut at the World Cup, netting a brace that powered Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Boston.

The Manchester City forward was subdued during the opening 28 minutes, missing a towering header that cleared the bar, before finally opening his account by tapping in a square pass from Wolves defender David Möller Wolfe.

This marked his 51st senior international goal in only 56 caps and his 11th competitive goal for Norway since November 2024.

Aymen Hussein equalised ten minutes later with a superb header, scoring Iraq’s second World Cup goal and their first in four decades.

Just before halftime, Haaland intercepted a weak back‑pass from Zaid Tahseen to goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, ran onto the loose ball and tapped it home to restore Norway’s lead, taking his tally to 52.

The second half failed to match the first’s intensity, with the tempo frequently dropping to a training‑match pace. In the 76th minute, substitute Leo Ostigard ran unopposed to meet Martin Ødegaard’s corner before heading home.

Late in stoppage time, Norway added a fourth when Haaland’s towering header struck the post and rebounded off the unfortunate Hussein, sealing a comfortable win.

The victory propelled Norway to the top of Group I on goal difference, following France’s 3‑1 win over Senegal earlier in the day.

The key moments from Boston

• 13′ – Iraq’s Ali Al‑Hamadi shoots wide under pressure from Torbjørn Heggem.
• 20′ – OVER: Haaland jumps to meet the corner but heads well over.
• 29′ – GOAL: Haaland scores his first World Cup goal, tapping in David Möller Wolfe’s cross.
• 31′ – CHANCE: Haaland chooses to set up Alexander Sorloth rather than shoot himself; the attempt is blocked.
• 37′ – Martin Ødegaard fires wide from 20 yards.
• 39′ – GOAL: Aymen Hussein equalises with a powerful header.
• 43′ – GOAL: Haaland exploits a defensive lapse to add his second.
• 53′ – Hussein meets a fine cross from Ibrahim Bayesh but cannot direct his header on target.
• 65′ – Hussein Ali meets a cross and pushes the ball onto the crossbar.
• 76′ – GOAL: Leo Ostigard runs, leaps and heads home Ødegaard’s corner.
• 83′ – CHANCE: Haaland elects to square up rather than attempt a hat‑trick, shooting straight at Jalal Hassan.
• 90+7′ – GOAL: Hussein’s own goal extends Norway’s lead in stoppage time.

What the result means…

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