Haaland makes his World Cup mark with double as Norway overcome Iraq

On a crisp Boston evening, a fluid Norwegian attack in the 28th minute enabled Haaland to score his first World Cup goal and give his side the lead. The Manchester City forward found himself with an easy finish after David Moller Wolfe delivered a precise low cross to the far post.

However, fears of an Iraqi capitulation proved unfounded as they equalised ten minutes later. Amir Al-Ammari reached the byline on the left flank, and the Cracovia midfielder lifted the ball to the far post, where Aymen Hussein powered his header into the bottom corner.

Despite the joy of the equaliser, Iraq went into half-time trailing because of a costly error that let Norway regain the lead. A seemingly innocuous backpass from Zaid Tahseen turned catastrophic when goalkeeper Jalal Hassan hesitated, allowing Haaland to block his clearance.

Reacting well to the setback, Iraq came close on three occasions in the last five minutes of the first half, with Ali Al-Hamadi and Ibrahim Bayesh both thwarted by superb last-gasp Norwegian defending, and then Akam Hashim sent a left-foot volley just over the crossbar moments before the interval.

Following the chaos of the first half, tranquillity settled over the early stages of the second period, with neither side recording a shot on target until the 76th minute, when substitute Leo Ostigard made the game safe.

The Genoa centre-back jumped highest to meet Martin Odegaard’s corner and directed his header into the net from close range, securing victory on Norway’s return to World Cup action after a 28-year absence.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s search for their first World Cup win goes on, and a late own goal from Aymen Hussein compounded the disappointment of a brave display, as the ball ricocheted off the striker while he jostled with Kristian Thorstvedt on the goal line.