Norways long-awaited return to the World Cup could not have gone much better. Erling Haaland scored twice, Leo Ostigard added a third from a corner and an injury-time own goal completed a 4-1 win over a valiant Iraq side that made Staale Solbakkens men work considerably harder than the scoreline suggests.Iraq, back at the World Cup for the first time since 1986, rattled Norway with an early intensity that caught the Scandinavians cold and were rewarded with a well-deserved equaliser through Ayman Husseins towering header. But Haaland, inevitably, had the final say in the first half and Norways superior quality told as the game wore on.Table of ContentsHaaland nets first World Cup goalSecond half control as Iraq run out of steamLate own goal puts gloss on the scorelineHaaland nets first World Cup goalNorway took the lead on 29 minutes when Antonio Nusa drove through the centre and released David Moller Wolfe down the left. The full-backs driving run took him to the byline and his low cutback was converted by a sliding Haaland at the back post. Iraq barely had time to feel sorry for themselves. They had been the better side in the opening exchanges, pressing aggressively and creating the games first chance through Hussein, who headed over from a free-kick delivery in the fifth minute. They continued to cause problems and their equaliser was fully deserved. Ali Jasims work down the left released Amir Al-Ammari at the byline and his floating delivery was met by Hussein, who climbed highest and powered a header into the bottom-right corner.It looked like Iraq might go into half-time level, and they came agonisingly close. Bayeshs close-range effort was denied brilliantly by Moller Wolfes knee, Al-Hamadis shot deflected narrowly past the post and Hashims volley from the edge of the box flew inches over the crossbar in what was a frantic closing spell.But the equaliser lasted just four minutes. Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan attempted to play out from the back and was immediately closed down by Haaland, who forced the ball home from close range for a scrappy but entirely typical second goal.Second half control as Iraq run out of steamIraq came out for the second half with the same courage that had characterised the first, with Alis volley from close range nearly levelling it again on 63 minutes, leaving goalkeeper Orjan Nyland stranded.But Solbakkens half-time adjustments gradually asserted control. Martin Odegaard, who had dragged a promising effort wide in the first half, grew into the game and took command of the tempo. Norways superior fitness began to show as Iraqs energy levels dropped, not least when Jasim, one of their brightest outlets, was forced off injured after a collision with Nusa left him holding his neck.Norways third goal arrived on 76 minutes and it was a set-piece executed to perfection. Odegaards delivery from the right-hand corner was exquisite, hanging into a dangerous area where substitute Ostigard, glanced a precise header beyond Hassan. Late own goal puts gloss on the scorelineHaaland came close to the hat-trick his performance deserved when he intercepted a careless backpass and forced a save from Hassan at point-blank range with eight minutes remaining. He was not to be denied a third involvement, however. Deep into stoppage time, Ajers delivery from the right was headed back across goal by Haaland, and Thorstvedts flick was inadvertently turned into his own net by Hussein.Norway now face Senegal in their second group game, while Iraq must regroup quickly for the daunting prospect of facing France the tournaments other Group I heavyweights. Topics iraq national football team Norway National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read WATCH: Haaland bags first World Cup goal before Iraq hit back against Norway Mitch Fretton 16th June, 2026 Iraq v Norway: World Cup 2026 confirmed teams as Haaland starts, TV channel, live online stream and stats Jon Fisher 16th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full list of confirmed teams, fixtures, groups and results Ben Miller 16th June, 2026 Iraq v Norway: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Mitch Fretton 15th June, 2026 Beyond Mbappe and Bellingham: 10 Players to watch at the World Cup Tom Rostance 4th June, 2026 International round-up: Denmark game abandoned ater Eriksen collapse as Italy and Norway also in action Mitch Fretton 7th June, 2026
