TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Erling Haaland's brace led the Norwegian national team to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in their 2026 World Cup Group I match at Boston Stadium, United States, today.
According to the FIFA website, Haaland scored in the 29th and 43rd minutes, while the other goals came from Leo Ostigard (76') and an own goal from Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein (90+6'). It was Haaland's debut World Cup goal.
Iraq also reduced the deficit through Aymen Hussein in the 39th minute.
From the start, both teams played aggressively. Iraq had the first chance through Aymen Hussein's header in the fifth minute, but his effort went over the Norwegian crossbar.
Norway began to increase the pressure and created several chances through Antonio Nusa, Alexander Sorloth, and Haaland.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 29th minute when Haaland met David Moller-Wolfe's low cross to give Norway a 1-0 lead.
Iraq refused to give up and managed to equalize at 1-1 in the 39th minute. Amir Al-Ammari sent in a cross from the flank, which Aymen Hussein met with a powerful header into the bottom corner of the Norwegian goal.
However, Iraq's lead was short-lived. Four minutes later, Haaland got on the scoresheet again after capitalizing on a misplaced back pass from an Iraqi player.
His pressure allowed goalkeeper Jalal Hassan's clearance to strike Haaland's foot before going into his own net, making it 2-1 to Norway at halftime.
In the second half, Iraq searched for an equalizer and threatened several times on the counterattack. However, Norway maintained control of the game.
Both coaches made several substitutions midway through the second half. This proved more effective for Norway, who extended their lead in the 76th minute.
Starting from Martin Odegaard's corner, substitute Leo Ostigard won the aerial duel and headed the ball into the Iraqi net to give Norway a 3-1 lead.
Haaland nearly completed his hat trick in the 83rd minute, but Jalal Hassan made a crucial save to thwart the opportunity.
Norway then capped off their scoring spree in the sixth minute of injury time. Haaland headed the ball across goal, creating a melee that led to Aymen Hussein's own goal, making it 4-1.
Next in Group I, Norway will face Senegal on Monday (June 22nd) and France on Friday (June 22nd), United States time.
Read: 2026 World Cup Iraq vs Norway Lineups: Aymen Hussein, Erling Haaland Face Off
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