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Erling Haaland starred on his World Cup debut, scoring twice to lead Norway to a 4-1 win over Iraq in Boston.
The Manchester City striker was kept quiet in the first 28 minutes – with his chance totaling a towering header that went over the bar – but he was soon off the mark when Wolves defender David Moeller tapped in a square ball from Wolfe.
It was the 11th competitive appearance in which he scored for Norway, dating back to November 2024, but his 51st senior international goal in just 56 appearances.
Aymen Hussain – who was detained and questioned by authorities for nearly seven hours when he arrived in the US earlier this month – then equalized with a superb header 10 minutes later. It was Iraq’s only second World Cup goal and their first in 40 years.
Aymen Hussain’s equality was short-lived
But just before the break, Haaland chased down Zayed Tahsin’s poor pass past goalkeeper Jalal Hasan, burst forward and tapped home to quickly restore Norway’s lead in the 52nd goal.
The second half largely lacked the excitement of the first. Sometimes the pace of training matches slows down. But with 14 minutes of the 90 remaining in the game, substitute Leo Östgaard was able to run unchallenged to meet Martin Odegaard’s corner and head home.
Leo Ostigård scored Norway’s third goal in Boston
And deep into stoppage time, they managed a fourth when Haaland’s towering header was tipped over the line by the hapless Hussain at the far post, adding to the gloss and giving Norway a winning start.
The victory kept them top of Group I after France’s 3-1 win over Senegal in the previous game.
Highlights from Boston
- 13: Iraq’s Ali Al-Hamadi shoots under pressure from Torbjorn Hegem.
- 20: Over! Erling Haaland dived to meet a corner but went well wide of the target.
- 29: aim! Haaland scored his first World Cup goal when he tapped in David Moller Wolff’s cross.
- 31: chance! Haaland chose to tie up Alexander Sorloth instead of going it alone. His shot is blocked.
- 37: Martin Odegaard fires wide from 20 yards.
- 39: aim! Aymen Hossain leveled the bullet header.
- 43: aim! Haaland took advantage of a defensive error to score his second goal.
- 53: Hussain Ibrahim meets a lovely cross from Bayesh, but can’t get a header on target.
- 65: Hussain Ali latches on to a cross, then lifts an effort into the roof of the net.
- 76: aim! Leo Östgaard ran, jumped and headed home Odegaard’s corner.
- 83: chance! Haaland fired straight at Jalal Hasan to complete the hat-trick.
- 90+7: aim! Hossain’s own goal increased Norway’s lead in the last second.
Analysis: Haaland eases into a new competition – again
Holland made his World Cup debut in Boston
Austrian Bundesliga, Bundesliga, Premier League, Champions League. Wherever Erling Haaland has gone, in every competition he has played, he has been an instant fixture.
So it was no surprise that one of the world’s most feared strikers would take to the World Cup like a duck to water.
Less than 30 minutes into his tournament debut – and Norway’s first appearance since 1998 – he was off the mark with a tap-in. Before the break, he capitalized on a disastrous error to score another goal. He also played a role in the fourth goal.
And by just 20 touches throughout Boston’s entire game. It’s nothing new, but it’s a reminder of the devastating impact the ball can have without touching it.
The 25-year-old is among the favorites for the Golden Boot and it’s easy to see why. But you wouldn’t bet against him making significant progress towards Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup goals record of 16…
