Iraq 1-4 Norway - World Cup result as Erling Haaland leads his nation to victory on their return with a first-half brace

World Cup / Group Stage

Boston Stadium / 16.06.2026

Iraq

Finished

Norway

A. Hussein(39')

E. Haaland(29', 43')
L. Østigård(76')
A. Hussein(90+6' O.G)

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01:30

HAALAND STARS ON WORLD CUP BOW AS NORWAY SWEEP IRAQ ASIDE

Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut, as Norway marked their return to the finals with a 4-1 victory over Iraq.

Leo Ostigard was also on target for Stale Solbakken's side, while an Aymen Hussein own-goal was enough for them to leapfrog France to the Group I summit.

Iraq, back at the World Cup for the first time since 1986, had the first clear sight of goal on 13 minutes, but Ali Al-Hamadi could not keep his volley down.

Haaland then took centre stage just before the half-hour mark, rounding off a lovely move by turning in David Moller Wolfe's low cross at the far post.

However, Norway were pegged back in the 39th minute, as Amir Al-Ammari's inviting centre was powered home by the head of Hussein.

Yet Iraq gifted Haaland a second goal just four minutes later, with the Manchester City striker pouncing on Jalal Hassan's error to restore his side's lead.

Graham Arnold's side went close to responding before the break. Wolfe and Kristoffer Ajer made important last-ditch interventions to deny Ibrahim Bayesh and Al-Hamadi, while Akam Hashim's stunning volley flashed inches over the crossbar.

Nevertheless, Norway gave themselves breathing space in the 76th minute when substitute Ostigard thundered in a header from Martin Odegaard's corner.

Haaland saw an opportunity to complete his hat-trick go begging soon after when Hassan came out to deny him.

But he played a key role in the fourth goal in the dying moments, with Haaland's looping header causing all sorts of confusion in the six-yard box, before the final touch off Hussein took the ball over the line.

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01:20

A RECORD VICTORY

01:15

THE FIRST NORWAY PLAYER TO SCORE MULTIPLE GOALS IN A WORLD CUP MATCH

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01:10

IRAQ BROUGHT DOWN TO EARTH DESPITE PROMISING RETURN

Iraq more than held their own in their first World Cup match for 40 years, though their efforts ultimately proved academic.

Graham Arnold's side responded well to falling behind the first time, with talisman Aymen Hussein becoming only the second Iraqi player to score at the finals.

They almost leveled for a second time after a positive finish to the first half.

However, the Lions of Mesopotamia tired as the game wore on, and they were eventually caught out by two aerial balls in the box during the final 15 minutes.

After losing all three matches in 1986, their wait for that first ever World Cup point continues.

However, there was enough in their performance to suggest they won't be intimidated by France on in six days' time.

01:05

HAALAND AT THE DOUBLE

All eyes were on Norway's number nine as he made his eagerly anticipated World Cup bow, and he did not disappoint.

His predatory instincts were in full working order, as he was in the right place at the right time for both his goals.

It helped Norway make a statement of intent in what was their first match at the finals since 1998, four years after Haaland's father Alf-Inge was part of the side in the United States.

They scored more than two goals for the first time in a major tournament match, while also recording their biggest ever victory.

Stale Solbakken's side propel themselves to the Group I summit, and will be feeling good ahead of their remaining fixtures against Senegal (June 22) and France (June 26).

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Full time

FULL-TIME

Iraq 1-4 Norway

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90+6'

GOAL!!! IRAQ 1-4 NORWAY (HUSSEIN OWN-GOAL)

Norway have a fourth goal in the dying moments!

Haaland is involved again, meeting Ajer's deep cross and looping a header back into the six-yard box.

Several players go for it, but it seems to ricochet off Hussein before trickling over his own line.

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Own goal

A. Hussein

Norway

90+4'

"GROUP OF EXCITEMENT AND OPPORTUNITY"

That's how Arnold described the prospect of Iraq facing France, Norway and Senegal in Group I on their World Cup return.

The Iraqi boss insisted his players wouldn't be starstruck and encouraged them to use their status as underdogs to go and "shock the world".

It looks like victory has eluded them today, but they have plenty of positives from this performance to draw upon.

Image credit: Getty Images

90+1'

SIDE-NETTING

Norway look to finish with a flourish, as we enter six minutes of stoppage time.

The ball is prodded into the path of Thorstvedt, whose shot is just the wrong side of the near post.

86'

YELLOW CARD

We've had to wait until the 86th minute for the referee to reach into his pocket for the first time today.

Tahseen is the offender, as he goes into the book after catching Haaland a little late.

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Yellow card

Z. Tahseen

Iraq

83'

HAALAND FOR THE HAT-TRICK?

Another chance is presented to Norway's number nine, though the angle is tight.

He opens his body and looks to whip it around Hassan, but the Iraqi goalkeeper stands his ground to make the block.

Haaland beats the back of his head in disgust.

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81'

NORWAY SUB

Solbakken opts to give Odegaard a breather, much to the skipper's dismay.

Berg replaces him for the final 10 minutes.

Substitution in

P. Berg

Norway

Substitution out

M. Ødegaard

Norway

79'

IRAQ CHANGE

Arnold turns to his bench heading towards the final 10 minutes, with Ali on to replace Bayesh.

Substitution in

Mohanad Ali

Iraq

Substitution out

I. Bayesh

Iraq

76'

GOAL!!! IRAQ 1-3 NORWAY (OSTIGARD)

That could be game, set and match, Norway!

Not long after his introduction, Ostigard towers above everyone in the penalty area to meet Odegaard's corner, and glance it past Hassan.

Norway have breathing space with just under a quarter of an hour remaining.

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Goal

L. Østigård

Norway

73'

RAFT OF CHANGES

There are six in total, following the conclusion of the hydration break.

Norway introduce Bobb, Ostigard, Thorstvedt and Schjelderup, with Sorloth, Wolfe, Aursnes and Nusa making way.

Meanwhile, Iraq send on Qasem and Sadoum in place of Jasim and Ismael.

Substitution in

O. Bobb

Norway

Substitution out

A. Sørloth

Norway

69'

HYDRATION BREAK

The second allocated pause of this contest ensues, with both coaches also taking the opportunity to deliver some final instructions.

There appears to be further activity on the benches...

67'

INTO THE FINAL QUARTER

Norway remain 2-1 to the good midway through the second half.

Will they see this out for three points, or can Iraq drag themselves back on level terms again?

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63'

OVER

Iraq look to push for their second equaliser of the day.

A deep ball to the far post evades Bayesh, but reaches Ali, whose looping volley is only a fraction too high.

The full-back controlled that very well, but just couldn't quite keep it down.

59'

DOUBLE CHANGE

There's activity on the Iraqi bench, with Arnold opting to shuffle his pack just before the hour mark.

Ismael and Al Hamadi are withdrawn and replaced by Iqbal and Farji.

Substitution in

Z. Iqbal

Iraq

Substitution out

Zaid Ismael

Iraq

57'

OUCH

We have a slight break in play as Jasim stays down following an aerial challenge with Nusa.

The Iraqi appears to have been accidentally caught around the throat area, with the medical team are on to see to him.

He looks like he should be fine to continue, though.

Image credit: Getty Images

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