Erling Haaland marked his World Cup debut with two goals and an assist as Norway secured a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Group I. The Manchester City striker’s goals were his 56th and 57th on the international stage, with Norway making their first World Cup appearance since 1998.
Leo Ostigard and Kristian Thorstvedt also found the net for Norway, with Aymen Hussein briefly equalizing for Iraq. Haaland capitalized on a defensive error to put Norway ahead just before halftime, showcasing his clinical finishing ability.
Haaland’s first goal, assisted by David Moller Wolfe, sparked celebrations among the Norwegian supporters in the stands. Iraq, appearing in only their second World Cup, showed resilience but ultimately fell short against a determined Norwegian side. Hussein, who scored Iraq’s equalizer, had previously secured his country’s World Cup spot with a crucial goal in the qualifying match against Bolivia.
