Haaland Scores Twice as Norway Beats Iraq 4-1 in World Cup Opener

Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut to help Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in their Group I opener at Boston Stadium, marking the country's first appearance at the tournament in 28 years.

The 25-year-old's double took his goal tally for Norway to 57 in just 51 caps. He came close to a hat-trick late on, but Iraq keeper Jalal Hassan denied him with a smart block, one that would have been the 55th hat-trick in World Cup history.

Iraq, playing in their first World Cup in 40 years, gave Norway a real fight for long spells of the match. Norway broke the deadlock just under a minute after the first-half hydration break, when David Moller Wolfe's low cross from the left found Haaland, who steered it in at the far post. Iraq leveled things up on 39 minutes through Aymen Hussein, who powered in a header from Amir Al-Ammari's cross. Hussein had already made history for his country in March, scoring the winner against Bolivia in the play-off that sent Iraq to this World Cup.

Norway regained the lead just four minutes later after Hassan dawdled on a back pass near his own goal. Haaland nipped in to block the clearance, and it cannoned into the net off him.

Despite trailing, Iraq finished the first half the stronger side. Ibrahim Bayesh saw a deflected volley fly wide, Ali Al-Hamadi was squeezed out by Kristoffer Ajer in the box, and Akam Hashim's 20-yard volley flew just over the bar.

The second half brought a notable milestone off the pitch too. Manchester-born midfielder Zidan Iqbal came on for Iraq and became the first player of Pakistani heritage to appear in a men's World Cup.

Norway pulled away in the closing stages. Substitute Leo Ostigard headed in a Martin Odegaard corner in the 76th minute to make it 3-1, and Haaland's looping header in stoppage time was turned into his own net by Hussein, rounding out the scoreline at 4-1.

The win was the first by a European team against Asian Football Confederation opposition at this World Cup, after four earlier results had gone the other way. For Iraq, the loss means their search for a first ever point at a World Cup continues.

Both teams are back in action soon. Iraq will face France, who beat Senegal 3-1 in their own opener, in Philadelphia on Monday, 22 June, at 22:00 WAT. Norway will take on Senegal later that night at the New York New Jersey Stadium, with kickoff at 01:00 WAT on 23 June.