Erling Haaland Scores Twice as Norway Beats Iraq 4-1 in World Cup Opener/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Erling Haaland scored twice in his World Cup debut to lead Norway past Iraq 4-1. Norway made a triumphant return to the tournament for the first time since 1998. Iraq briefly equalized before Norway pulled away in the second half.
Erling Haaland World Cup Debut Quick Looks
- Erling Haaland scored two goals in his first World Cup match.
- Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in Group I action.
- Haaland now has 57 international goals for Norway.
- Norway returned to the World Cup after a 28-year absence.
- Leo Ostigard added a late goal off a Martin Odegaard corner.
- Iraq’s Aymen Hussein scored the team’s lone goal.
- A late own goal by Iraq sealed the final margin.
- Norway’s supporters created a festive atmosphere with Viking chants.
- Iraq made only its second World Cup appearance.
- Norway faces tougher tests ahead in Group I.
Deep Look
Haaland Delivers on the World Stage
For years, soccer fans around the globe wondered what Erling Haaland would look like on the biggest stage in the sport. On Tuesday night in Foxborough, Massachusetts, they got their answer.
The prolific Norwegian striker wasted little time announcing himself at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring twice to lead Norway to a convincing 4-1 victory over Iraq in Group I play.
Making his long-awaited World Cup debut, Haaland looked every bit the global superstar many expected him to be. His clinical finishing, physical presence and relentless movement proved too much for Iraq’s defense to handle.
“Of course I will try,” Haaland said when asked about living up to expectations. “It’s about continuing and don’t think too much. It’s difficult at this stage. But I’ll focus on the next game and of course be happy. But also stay calm.”
A Historic Night for Norway
The victory marked Norway’s first World Cup appearance since 1998, ending a 28-year absence from soccer’s premier tournament.
That last appearance came two years before Haaland was born.
Now, the 25-year-old striker is carrying the hopes of a nation eager to make a deep run in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken said he sensed before kickoff that his star player was ready for the moment.
“You could see that he lived up to the occasion,” Solbakken said. “The occasion wasn’t too big for him.”
With Haaland leading the attack and creative midfielder Martin Odegaard pulling the strings, Norway appears poised to challenge some of the tournament’s traditional powers.
Haaland’s First World Cup Goals
Haaland’s opening goal came in the 29th minute and showcased his elite finishing ability.
David Moller Wolfe sent a cross into the penalty area, where Haaland slid and used his right heel to redirect the ball into the net. The finish sparked celebrations among thousands of Norway supporters dressed in red and performing synchronized Viking chants.
But Iraq quickly responded.
In the 38th minute, Amir Alammari delivered a dangerous cross into the box that found Aymen Hussein. The veteran striker headed the ball beyond goalkeeper Orjan Nyland to level the match at 1-1.
For a brief moment, Iraq believed it could spring an upset.
Haaland had other ideas.
Just before halftime, a poor back pass by Iraq’s defense created an opportunity too tempting for the Manchester City star to ignore. Haaland raced onto the loose ball, beat goalkeeper Jalal Hassan to it, and used his shin to guide it into the net.
The goal restored Norway’s lead and shifted momentum permanently.
“It’s one of those things. It happened,” Iraq coach Graham Arnold said afterward. “It is what it is and we have to learn from it.”
Norway Pulls Away Late
As the second half progressed, Norway’s quality began to show.
Captain Martin Odegaard continued orchestrating attacks from midfield, and in the 76th minute his corner kick found defender Leo Ostigard, who headed home to make it 3-1.
Norway’s fourth goal arrived in heartbreaking fashion for Iraq. In stoppage time, forward Aymen Hussein accidentally redirected the ball into his own net, putting the finishing touch on Norway’s dominant performance.
The final score may have looked one-sided, but Iraq showed flashes of resilience and attacking quality throughout the contest.
Iraq’s Emotional Return
For Iraq, simply reaching the World Cup represented a major achievement.
The nation qualified for only the second time in its history, with its previous appearance coming in 1986.
Hussein’s equalizing goal was his 34th international strike and followed his crucial winner against Bolivia in April that secured Iraq’s place in the tournament.
“It’s a proud moment to be back in the World Cup after 40 years,” Iraq’s Hussein Ali said. “To lose 4-1, it hurts.”
The Iraqi supporters who traveled to Massachusetts created a vibrant atmosphere, gathering behind one goal and cheering their team throughout the match.
Though the result was disappointing, Iraq demonstrated enough determination to remain hopeful for its remaining group-stage matches.
What Comes Next
Norway’s strong start immediately boosts its chances of advancing to the knockout rounds.
With Haaland in top form and a talented supporting cast around him, expectations are growing for the Scandinavian nation to become one of the tournament’s surprise contenders.
The key will be consistency.
One standout performance does not guarantee success at a World Cup, but Norway now has a foundation on which to build.
For Haaland, this was only the beginning.
The world’s most feared striker finally has his World Cup moment—and if Tuesday’s performance is any indication, there could be many more to come.
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