The Manchester City striker scored his first goal in a major international competition as Norway defeated Iraq.
Published June 17, 2026
Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in their first Group I match in Boston.
The Manchester City striker scored his first goal in a major international competition on Tuesday as Norway returned to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
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Haaland’s close-range shot put Norway ahead in the 29th minute, but Aymen Hussein’s header equalized Iraq.
Haaland then capitalized on a mistake at the back to put Norway back in the lead before half-time, taking his tally of goals at international level to 57 in just 51 games.
Norway effectively sealed the win with Leo Østigard scoring their third goal with a header shortly after coming on as a substitute. Norway scored their fourth goal deep into stoppage time with Hussein’s own goal.
The win took Norway to the top of Group I on goal difference, level on three points with France after Les Bleus beat Senegal 3-1 earlier in the day. The Norwegians will face the African powerhouse in their next match on June 22nd in New Jersey.
No team has endured a longer and more perilous road to the World Cup than Iraq, who secured their spot in the 48th and final qualifier in March after an 867-day, 21-match campaign.
Hussein, who scored the winning goal in a playoff victory over Bolivia, was detained by U.S. immigration officials and interrogated for several hours after arriving with his team ahead of Iraq’s first World Cup since 1986.
Norway’s stunning comeback
Norway last played in the competition in 1998, when coach Starre Solbakken was part of the team that famously defeated Brazil in the group stage and were eliminated in the last 16. He also played in Euro 2000.
After a strong run through qualifying and defeating Italy twice, they hope a golden generation of players led by Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard can break new ground in North America.
Solbakken predicted Haaland would make a “huge impact” in his first major final, and the Manchester City star quickly delivered on that promise.
For Iraq, Antonio Nusa’s maneuvering was a problem, with his sharp pass clearing David Moeller-Wolf who was overlapping him, and Haaland putting his body on the line to slot in a low cross from the left.
Iraq had lost all of their group matches in their only previous appearance, but they didn’t care about that and tied the score 10 minutes later.
Amir Alanmari found space just inside the area and crossed for Hussain, who rose nicely to head the ball past Orjan Nyland.
However, Iraq was only responsible for gift-wrapping Haaland’s second game of the tournament.
Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan was slow to react to a softly struck backpass and his attempted clearance bounced off Haaland’s shin and into the net.
Iraq responded well once again, with Ibrahim Bayesh being denied with a desperate block, Ali Al-Hamadi dribbling wide of goal and centre-back Akam Hashim volleying a fine shot just over the bar.
In the 76th minute, Odegaard’s corner kick was nodded in by Ostigard, giving Norway a point. Haaland then looked set for a hat-trick when his spilled pass was thwarted by Hassan.
Still, Haaland was active in the second half of Norway’s fourth goal, his looping header deflected by Hussein and over the line.
