Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in their Group I World Cup opener on Tuesday, with Erling Haaland scoring twice in his first major tournament appearance.
Haaland opened the scoring in Boston after 29 minutes, turning in David Moller Wolfe’s low cross from the left. Aymen Hussein equalised for Iraq with a header 10 minutes later.
The Manchester City striker restored Norway’s lead before halftime after goalkeeper Jalal Hassan failed to clear a soft backpass. The ball struck Haaland and ricocheted into the net.
Leo Ostigard headed in Norway’s third from Martin Odegaard’s corner in the 76th minute. Norway added a fourth in stoppage time when Haaland’s header deflected off Hussein for an own goal.
Haaland’s double took his international tally to 57 goals in 51 matches. Norway moved to the top of Group I on goal difference, level with France on three points after France beat Senegal 3-1 earlier Tuesday.
Iraq qualified for the World Cup as the 48th and final qualifier after a 21-match campaign spanning 867 days. Hussein had scored the decisive goal in Iraq’s play-off win over Bolivia.
Norway returned to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, when Stale Solbakken was part of the squad that beat Brazil in the group stage. Solbakken now coaches a side led by Haaland and Odegaard.
