Norway marked their return to the FIFA World Cup with an impressive 4-1 victory over Iraq at Boston Stadium on Tuesday, as Erling Haaland scored his first ever World Cup goals to inspire the Scandinavians to the top of Group I.
The match was the first World Cup meeting between the two nations and Norway’s first ever World Cup clash against an Asian opponent. Iraq, appearing at the tournament for only the second time since 1986, started brightly and made life difficult for their more fancied opponents during a competitive opening spell.
After an even first 10 minutes, Iraq created the first real opportunity in the 12th minute. Ipswich Town striker Ali Al Hamadi battled past Torbjorn Heggem inside the area but fired his effort over the crossbar.
Norway slowly began to settle. Erling Haaland rose highest from a corner in the 20th minute but failed to direct his header on target. Two minutes later, Julian Ryerson delivered a dangerous free kick into the box, only for Alexander Sorloth’s header to be comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Jalal Hassan.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 29th minute and it came from the man Norway hoped would deliver on the biggest stage. David Moller Wolfe surged down the left and produced a perfect low cross across goal. Haaland timed his run superbly and slid in at the far post to score Norway’s first goal of the tournament and his first ever World Cup goal.
Iraq refused to be intimidated and deservedly found an equaliser in the 39th minute. Aymen Hussein finished confidently to level the contest after an encouraging spell from the Asian side.
However, Norway regained the lead just four minutes later through one of the most bizarre goals of the tournament so far. Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan attempted to clear a loose backpass but smashed the ball straight against the pressing Haaland. The rebound flew into the net, gifting the Manchester City striker his second goal of the evening and restoring Norway’s advantage at 2-1.
Iraq almost responded immediately. In first-half stoppage time, Ibrahim Bayesh appealed for a penalty after David Moller Wolfe blocked a powerful volley from close range, but replays showed no handball. Moments later, Ali Al Hamadi raced through on goal only for Kristoffer Ajer to apply enough pressure to force his effort narrowly wide. Akram Hashim then came close with a fierce volley that skimmed the roof of the net as Norway survived a tense finish to the half.
At the break, Norway held a 2-1 lead thanks to Haaland’s clinical finishing. Remarkably, the striker scored twice despite recording just 11 touches in the opening 45 minutes. It was also the first time Norway had ever led at half time in a World Cup match.
Iraq continued to threaten after the restart. In the 53rd minute, Aymen Hussein nearly grabbed his second goal when he glanced Ibrahim Bayesh’s pinpoint cross just wide of the post. Ten minutes later, Hussein Ali caught the Norwegian defence off guard at the far post but could only lift his effort onto the roof of the net.
Norway struggled to create clear chances during much of the second half. Their best opening before the decisive third goal came in the 75th minute when substitute Oscar Bobb cut the ball back for Kristian Thorstvedt, whose effort was blocked by the Iraq defence.
The game moved beyond Iraq in the 76th minute. From the resulting corner, Martin Odegaard delivered an excellent cross to the near post and substitute Leo Ostigard powered home a header to make it 3-1.
Haaland then came agonisingly close to completing a memorable hat trick in the 82nd minute. The striker raced onto a misplaced backpass and looked certain to score, but Jalal Hassan redeemed himself with a brave save after rushing off his line.
Norway added a fourth goal deep into stoppage time. Haaland met a cross from the right and cleverly headed the ball back across goal, where Kristian Thorstvedt bundled it home. The effort took a deflection off Aymen Hussein on its way into the net, sealing a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
When the final whistle sounded, Haaland stood at the centre of attention. His two goals on his World Cup debut helped Norway secure a significant victory in their first tournament appearance since 1998.
Iraq showed determination and created several dangerous moments on their long awaited return to football’s biggest stage, but costly defensive errors ultimately proved decisive.
Norway now sit top of Group I and will carry strong momentum into their next match against Senegal. For Iraq, despite the defeat, there were enough encouraging signs to suggest they can still challenge for qualification in their remaining group fixtures.
Before this tournament, Norway had made only three previous World Cup appearances, with their best run coming in 1998 when they reached the Round of 16. Iraq, meanwhile, arrived for only their second World Cup appearance after their debut in 1986, where they lost all three group matches by a single goal margin.
