Erling Haaland scored a brace on his World Cup debut as Norway overcame a spirited display from Iraq to win 4-1 at Boston Stadium.
2026 World Cup
1-4
Match Report
The Manchester City striker struck either side of Aymen Hussein's header for Iraq before Leo Ostigard and an own goal from Hussein secured victory, with Norway joining France on three points in Group I after the first round of fixtures.
It was Iraq who had the better of the early chances, with Hussein heading over from close range before Ali Al Hamadi fired too high from the edge of the box.
However, it was Norway who broke the deadlock in the 29th minute as Haaland was on hand at the back post to poke in from David Moller Wolfe's low cross.
Iraq were level 10 minutes later as Hussein powered a header from Amir Al Ammari's centre past Orjan Nyland, but they were behind again before half-time as Haaland closed down Jalal Hassan and deflected the goalkeeper's clearance into the back of the net.
Graham Arnold's side still squandered three chances to equalise before the break; Ibrahim Bayesh saw his effort blocked by Moller Wolfe, Al Hamadi was thwarted by a last-ditch challenge from Kristoffer Ajer and Akam Hashim volleyed narrowly over the bar.
The second half produced fewer opportunities, with Norway's first shot after the restart coming in the 76th minute, but the resulting corner from Kristian Thorstvedt's blocked effort saw Ostigard head in to double their advantage.
Haaland did have the chance to complete his hat-trick late on when pouncing on a poor back pass from Zidane Iqbal, but this time Hassan was quick off his line to close the striker down and make the save, though the striker's header across the face of goal deep into stoppage time was inadvertently turned in by Hussein.
11 - Erling Haaland has scored in his last 11 competitive appearances for Norway dating back to November 2024.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 16, 2026
Automatic. pic.twitter.com/c2qcdtAeVI
Erling Haaland - who else?
After Kylian Mbappe's brace for France earlier on Tuesday, there was a feeling of inevitability Haaland would respond promptly in the race for the Golden Boot, which is exactly what he did.
Haaland is the first player to score multiple goals for Norway on World Cup debut; he has scored multiple goals in each of his last five competitive appearances for his country (13 goals).
The 25-year-old has also scored in his last 11 competitive appearances for Norway dating back to November 2024, a run he will look to continue ahead of crucial games against Senegal and France in Group I.
Although Norway won the expected goals (xG) battle 2.58 to 0.77 and scored four goals in a single match at a major tournament for the first time, Stale Solbakken knows his side must be better if they want to finish top of the group.
Iraq will certainly take positives from this encounter, scoring just their second World Cup goal, with the other coming in a 2-1 defeat to Belgium in 1986, and creating more than enough chances to win in Boston.
An error while playing out from the back before half-time proved costly in the end, but Iraq have shown they can certainly challenge for third place in the group.
Line-ups
Iraq XI: Jalal Hassan, Amir Al-Ammari, Aymen Hussein, Ibrahim Bayesh, Hussein Ali, Ali Al-Hamadi, Merchas Doski, Akam Hashem, Zaid Tahseen, Ali Jasim, Zaid Ismail
Subs: Rebin Sulaka, Frans Putros, Fahad Talib, Ahmed Basil Fadhil, Ali Yousif, Mohanad Ali, Kevin Yakob, Aimar Sher, Ahmed Qasem, Zidane Iqbal, Marko Farji, Youssef Amyn, Ahmed Maknzi, Manaf Younis, Mustafa Saadoon
Norway XI: Nyland, Sørloth, Fredrik Aursnes, Ødegaard, Kristoffer Ajer, Berge, Ryerson, Haaland, Torbjørn Heggem, David Møller Wolfe, Antonio Nusa
Subs: Morten Thorsby, Patrick Berg, Egil Selvik, Fredrik Bjørkan, Jens Petter Hauge, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Leo Østigård, Kristian Thorstvedt, Marcus Pedersen, Sander Tangvik, Thelo Aasgaard, Bobb, Henrik Falchener, Sondre Langås, Andreas Schjelderup