Haaland Delivers a Brace on His World Cup Debut as Norway Overcome Iraq

Erling Haaland wasted no time making his mark on the grandest stage in football. The Manchester City striker announced his World Cup arrival with two first-half goals, steering Norway to a commanding victory over Iraq in their opening Group I fixture. Across the tournament, Kylian Mbappé had already set the tone with a brace of his own in France’s triumph over Senegal — and Haaland answered that challenge emphatically.

The Goals That Defined the Evening

Haaland’s first arrived in the 29th minute, the product of relentless pressing and sharp movement. Antonio Nusa had been a constant menace to the Iraqi defence, and it was his combination with David Møller Wolfe that unlocked the door. Haaland made a decisive run to the back post and converted Møller Wolfe’s delivery from barely two yards out. The strike was his 11th goal in as many competitive appearances for the national side — a statistic that underlines just how extraordinary his output has become.

The second came through a moment of hesitation that proved costly for Iraq. Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan — a player with more than 100 international caps — inexplicably stalled on a back-pass rather than clearing it immediately. Haaland seized on the uncertainty, and although his initial effort rebounded off Hassan and then back off himself, the ball still found the net. It was an unconventional finish, but the outcome was the same.

Iraq’s Moment of Glory

Iraq’s journey to this World Cup was remarkable in itself — they played more qualifying matches than any other nation and navigated significant logistical difficulties stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. On the pitch, they refused to be passive. Ali Jassim set up Amir al-Ammari, whose cross found Aymen Hussein rising above a cluster of Norway defenders to plant a powerful header past Ørjan Håskjold Nyland. The goal was not only the finest moment in Iraq’s brief World Cup history — it eclipsed their sole strike from the 1986 tournament, a consolation in a 2-1 defeat to Belgium — but it also drew the sides level and sent the Iraqi supporters into raptures.

The equaliser held for barely three minutes before Haaland restored Norway’s advantage. Yet Iraq could argue they deserved more from the first half. Møller Wolfe produced a crucial block to deny Ibrahim Bayesh, and Akam Hashem’s half-volley in the dying moments of the half shaved the crossbar.

Norway’s Strengths and Vulnerabilities

Norway enter this tournament as a side that has divided opinion. Some regard them as overrated; others believe they are underestimated. What is beyond dispute is the calibre of their attacking talent. Haaland and Martin Ødegaard represent a remarkable pairing for a country of fewer than six million people, and the squad extends well beyond those two names. Nusa was electric throughout, and Oscar Bobb — a player who would command a starting berth in many international squads — was not even in the starting eleven.

Defensively, however, Norway showed vulnerabilities that more clinical opponents will look to exploit. Mbappé and France will take note ahead of the final group-stage encounter between the two sides.

Late Drama and the Road Ahead

The third goal arrived from a set piece. Leo Østigård outjumped the Iraq defence to meet Ødegaard’s corner, though the visitors felt there was excessive physical contact in the build-up. The Norway captain was substituted shortly after his assist, seemingly preserved for the challenges ahead.

Even in the closing seconds of added time, Haaland was not finished. A looping header from Kristoffer Ajer‘s cross put Hussein under enough pressure to divert the ball into his own net, adding further gloss to the scoreline. Hassan did deny Haaland a hat-trick with a late save, keeping the Manchester City forward from overtaking Mbappé’s tally — for now.

In the post-match interview, Haaland offered a measured response to his coach’s pre-match praise. Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken had described Haaland as the best goalscorer on the planet, but the striker himself pointed to Mbappé and Harry Kane as having surpassed his numbers during the 2025–26 club season. “I think today you saw the same energy,” Haaland said. “Of course we have to be happy but also stay calm.” The World Cup has only just begun for him.