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Jun 17, 2026
Analyzed by Llama- 4 Scout 17B 16E Instruct

Haaland scores two goals as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 on World Cup return

AI Summary
Erling Haaland scored twice in his World Cup debut as Norway powered past Iraq to win 4-1 in their Group I opener in Boston. Norway returned to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.

The Star-Studded Performance

Erling Haaland scored twice in his World Cup debut as Norway powered past Iraq to win 4-1 in their Group I opener in Boston.

The Manchester City striker scored his first goals at a major international tournament on Tuesday as Norway returned to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.

Match Highlights

Haaland turned in from close range to give Norway the lead on 29 minutes, but Aymen Hussein's header brought Iraq level.

Haaland then pounced on an error at the back to put Norway ahead again before half-time and take his goal tally at international level to 57 in just 51 matches.

  • Haaland's Goal: Assisted by Antonio Nusa, Haaland stretched to steer in the low cross from the left.
  • Iraq's Equalizer: Aymen Hussein rose brilliantly to power a header past Orjan Nyland.

The Impact of Norway's Win

The win left Norway on top of Group I on goal difference, level with France on three points after Les Bleus overcame Senegal 3-1 earlier in the day.

Norway faces France in their next game in New Jersey on June 22.

Norway's Impressive Return

Norway last played at the tournament in 1998, when coach Stale Solbakken was a member of the squad that famously beat Brazil in the group stage before exiting in the last 16.

After breezing impressively through qualifying, twice thrashing Italy, they are hoping a golden generation of players – led by Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard – can break new ground in North America.