Haaland scores twice as Norway beats Iraq 4-1

Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut to lead Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in their opening Group I match at Gillette Stadium in Boston on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The win marked Norway's first appearance at the tournament in 28 years.

The Manchester City striker opened his account in the 29th minute, finishing a cross from David Møller Wolfe at the back post. After Iraq's Aymen Hussein equalized, Haaland restored Norway's lead just before halftime when a clearance from goalkeeper Jalal Hassan rebounded off him and into the net. Leo Østigård headed in a third from a Martin Ødegaard corner after the break, and Hussein completed the scoring with an own goal under pressure from Haaland.

The victory represents Norway's biggest win in World Cup history, surpassing previous victories over Mexico in 1994 and Brazil in 1998. The nation had not qualified for a major tournament since that 1998 World Cup, a drought ended by a dominant qualifying campaign where Haaland scored 16 goals.

After the match, Norway's coach, Ståle Solbakken, said the occasion was not too big for his star player and praised his performance. When asked if he considered himself the world's best...