Erling Haaland scores two goals in World Cup debut as Norway defeats Iraq, 4-1
BOSTON - Erling Haaland made his World Cup debut and scored a brace to lead Norway to a 4-1 win in their tournament opener against Iraq on Tuesday.
Haaland wasn't even born when Norway last competed at the World Cup: their last participation was in 1998, while the Manchester City superstar was born two years later.
"We were expected to win and we won, fortunately," Haaland said. "Now everybody in Norway will be happy, and I hope people will party."
As his nation makes its comeback to the big stage, Haaland didn't take long to show how important he will be in this campaign and broke the scoreless deadlock in the 29th minute.
Aymen Hussein met the ball with a powerful header to equalize for Iraq in the 39th.
But the Norwegians retook the lead before the break after Haaland took advantage of a defensive calamity to score his brace in the 43rd minute.
Substitute Leo Østigård needed only three minutes on the pitch to score Norway's third in the 76th and Hussein's own goal deep into stoppage time secured the Norwegians' the top spot in Group I.
They are tied at three points with France, who earlier beat Senegal, 3-1, but leads on goal differential.
Norway's next opponent will be Senegal on June 22, while Iraq faces France.
"Look, three points will get you through to the next phase, and we've got two more games to go. Great performance at times, but a couple of mistakes hurt us badly," Iraq coach Graham Arnold said.
Haaland takes center stage
Haaland is used to big occasions, and he once again showed up for his team.
His maiden World Cup goal came in the 29th minute. Norway played a quick sequence of passes up the field and David Møller Wolfe served a low cross into the box, which was met by Haaland with a slide.
Iraq, however, didn't take long to hit back. Amir al-Ammari kept the ball in play before sending a perfect cross to the box, where Hussein powered a header past keeper Ørjan Nyland in the 39th.
But the Norwegians led again after a huge mistake from the Iraq defense.
A lazy back pass was sent into the path of goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, who hesitated and then could only watch as the onrushing Haaland intercepted the ball and found the net from close range in the 43rd.
Iraq got close to another equalizer shortly before the break as Ibrahim Bayesh volleyed the ball from close range. But Møller Wolfe blocked the effort.
Iraq asked for a penalty for a handball, but replays showed that the ball hit Møller Wolfe's knee.
Norway dominated the second half and practically put the game to bed in the 76th as Østigård hit a powerful header from Martin Ødegaard's corner.
That was enough to secure the three points but Norway crowned their evening with a fourth goal to take the group lead.
Haaland met a cross from the right and knocked it back across the goal for Kristian Thorstvedt and the ball deflected off Hussein before falling into the net.
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