Video: Hussein’s goal is not enough… Haaland’s brilliance hinders Iraq’s progress.

Iraq star Ayman Hussain scored a goal against Norway, but it was not enough for the “Lions of Mesopotamia” to earn the first points in the history of the World Cup.

The Iraqi national team lost 1-4 to their Norwegian counterparts in the opening match of the two teams in Group Nine, which also includes France and Senegal, in the early hours of Wednesday.

France beat Senegal 1-3 in the same group yesterday, Tuesday night, while Norway topped what many called the toughest group at the 2026 World Cup with 3 points ahead of France on goal difference, while Iraq finished last in the group.

Erling Holland imposed himself as the hero of the match, becoming the author of two goals and one assist, which contributed to the victory of his favorite team.

The Iraqi national team failed to earn their first ever World Cup point in their second appearance at the tournament, losing all three of their matches in the 1986 tournament.

Arab start and Haland bite

Iraq started the game with a bold attacking display and Ali Al-Hamadi almost scored the opener in the 12th minute, but his shot went just wide of the Norwegians’ post. In the 20th minute, Haaland responded with a clumsy header that didn’t pose much of a threat to Iraq’s goal.

Haaland scored Norway’s first goal in the 29th minute, capitalizing on teammate Müller Wolff’s cross from the left flank amid a lack of defensive control from the Iraqi players.

Hussain’s head and Hasan’s mistake

But Ayman Hussain responded 10 minutes later with a header into the Norway keeper’s net from Amir Al-Ammari’s pass.

Just as the Arab team was about to take the lead, Haaland scored his second goal in the 43rd minute, capitalizing on a disastrous mistake by goalkeeper Jalal Hasan, who was slow to clear the ball.

Iraq’s retreat

The Iraqi team went on the offensive in search of an equalizer before the end of the first half and missed more than one chance but went into the dressing room late.

In the second half, the game of the Iraqi team declined, allowing the European team to advance and threaten the goal of the Arabs.

In the 76th minute, Leo Östegaard killed the Iraqi national team’s hopes with a strong header with a third goal, taking advantage of the corner played by Martin Odegaard.

Iraq’s players were frustrated in the last quarter of an hour, while Norway were superior physically, and moments before the final whistle the European side managed to add a fourth goal, set up by Haaland, who headed in a ball that Ayman Hussain accidentally put into his own net.