Erling Haaland scores twice on World Cup debut as Norway beats Iraq 4-1 in Group I opener
Erling Haaland scored two goals and added an assist in his first World Cup appearance, propelling Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq at Gillette Stadium as both nations ended long tournament absences.
Haaland shines on World Cup debut
Erling Haaland, playing his first World Cup match, needed only 11 touches to score twice and added an assist. The 25-year-old Manchester City striker opened the scoring in the 29th minute, sliding to meet a low cross from David Moller Wolfe. His second came just before halftime when Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan mishandled a back pass, allowing Haaland to pounce and deflect the ball into the net. His two goals brought his international tally to 57 in 51 appearances. "To win 4-1 on an average day is absolutely huge for all of us," Haaland said after the match.
Iraq's equaliser and Hussein's story
Iraq briefly leveled the score nine minutes after Haaland's first goal. Aymen Hussein, who was briefly detained by U.S. customs upon arrival in Chicago two weeks earlier, headed in an Amir Alammari cross from the left. It was Hussein's 34th international goal and the second ever for Iraq at a World Cup. The striker, who also had a late own-goal according to some reports, received praise from coach Graham Arnold: "I'd rather remember his performance and the way he's played. … He's the type of player that's very difficult to control in the box."
Norway seal victory
Norway pulled away in the second half. Leo Ostigard scored the third goal in the 76th minute from a Martin Odegaard corner. A fourth was added deep into stoppage time, credited by some sources to Kristian Thorstvedt from a Haaland assist, while others ruled it an own goal by Hussein. The win gave Norway their first World Cup match since 1998 and top spot in Group I on goal difference over France, who beat Senegal 3-1.
- 29' - Haaland slides in opener
- 38' - Hussein equalises with header
- 43' - Haaland capitalises on backpass error
- 76' - Ostigard scores from corner
- 90+7' - Thorstvedt / own goal adds fourth
Group I outlook and coach reaction
With the expanded 48-team format allowing the best third-placed sides to advance, Iraq coach Arnold remained optimistic. "There is still the opportunity for third spot. Three points should be enough to get you through," he said. Norway's Stale Solbakken planned to give his players two days off before their next match against Senegal on June 22. "I think it will be good for them to not see me the next two days," he said. Iraq next face France the same day in Philadelphia.
Halftime sprinkler incident
At halftime, a malfunctioning sprinkler sent water gushing in front of one of the goals, where Haaland had scored his two first-half strikes. Grounds crew rushed to shut off the system and disperse the water, and the pitch was restored by the time the teams returned.
