Iraq vs Norway

Norway needed just 29 minutes to break through. David Møller Wolfe delivered a precise cross from the left flank, and Haaland — unmarked in the box — swept the ball past Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan for his first ever World Cup goal. The noise from the travelling Norwegian supporters rattled the Boston night air.

Iraq responded with admirable composure. Just ten minutes later, Amir Al Ammari threaded a ball through the Norwegian defence, and Aymen Hussein — Iraq's all-time top scorer — showed sharp instincts to slot home the equaliser in the 39th minute. The Lions of Mesopotamia had roared back.

But parity lasted only four minutes. Just before half-time, Haaland collected the ball on the edge of the area, turned his marker, and unleashed a venomous left-footed strike that left Hassan with no chance. Norway went into the break leading 2-1, and Haaland had his brace.

Iraq made a double substitution on the hour mark, introducing Ali Al Hamadi and Zaid Ismaeel in search of another equaliser, but Norway's control only tightened. With 61% possession and an xG of 2.53 compared to Iraq's 0.77, Ståle Solbakken's side were creating chances at will.

The decisive blow came in the 76th minute. Martin Ødegaard, Nigeria's captain and creative heartbeat, swung in a corner from the right, and centre-back Leo Østigård rose highest to power a header into the net. 3-1, and the game was effectively over.

Deep into stoppage time, with Iraq pushing forward, a speculative Norwegian cross was turned into his own net by Aymen Hussein — a cruel end to what had been a valiant individual performance from the Iraqi striker, who had both scored his side's only goal and inadvertently added Norway's fourth.

• Possession: Iraq 39% — Norway 61%
• Shots: Iraq 11 (1 on target) — Norway 12 (5 on target)
• Expected Goals (xG): Iraq 0.77 — Norway 2.53
• Corners: Iraq 2 — Norway 5
• Pass Accuracy: Iraq 81% — Norway 89%

Erling Haaland (Norway) — Two goals on his World Cup debut, the Manchester City marksman showed exactly why he is regarded as one of the planet's most feared finishers. His first was a poacher's finish, his second a reminder of his devastating power from distance.

Martin Ødegaard (Norway) — The Arsenal playmaker dictated the tempo from midfield and delivered the pinpoint corner that effectively sealed the win. His link-up with Haaland remains Norway's greatest attacking weapon.

Aymen Hussein (Iraq) — A game of extremes. His well-taken equaliser briefly silenced the Norwegian support, but the stoppage-time own goal was a gutting footnote to an otherwise committed display.

Norway sit top of Group I after their opening fixture, with three points and a healthy goal difference of +3. For Iraq, it is a harsh introduction to World Cup football, but there were enough signs — particularly in the first half — to suggest they can trouble their remaining group opponents.

Norway's wait for a World Cup appearance stretched back to 1998, when they famously defeated Brazil in the group stage. This performance suggests that Haaland and company are not simply here to make up the numbers.