The match at Boston Stadium marked the historic return of both Norway and Iraq to the World Cup after more than two decades of absence. On a day when individual class shone through, Erling Haaland proved his worth as a world- class superstar, directly giving coach Stale Solbakken's team a huge advantage.
Pressure from Asian representatives and Haaland's response
Under the guidance of coach Graham Arnold, Iraq started confidently with an aggressive high-pressing style of play. As early as the 5th minute, Aymen Hussein rattled the Norwegian goal with a header that narrowly missed the post. However, the Middle Eastern team's momentum was quickly dampened by the killer instinct of Erling Haaland.
In the 29th minute, following a rapid run down the left flank, defender David Moller Wolfe delivered a cross that completely bypassed the Iraqi defense. Haaland was in the right place at the right time to tap the ball into the net from close range, opening the scoring. Although Iraq equalized 1-1 in the 39th minute thanks to a powerful header from Aymen Hussein, their joy lasted only four minutes.
In the 43rd minute, a disastrous mistake by goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, who clumsily lost the ball in the penalty area, created the perfect opportunity for Haaland to complete his brace, putting Haaland 2-1 ahead before the end of the first half.
Martin Odegaard's control and finishing move
In the second half, Norway deliberately slowed down the pace of the game, establishing a solid zonal defense to neutralize their opponents' attacks. The role of playmaker Martin Odegaard became more prominent than ever as he perfectly controlled the tempo of the match, leaving Iraq frustrated despite their attempts to push forward.
In the 76th minute, Odegaard delivered a precise corner kick, setting up center-back Leo Ostigard who headed the ball into the far corner, extending the lead to two goals.
In the final minutes of the match, as the Iraqi players' stamina and willpower waned, tragedy struck again. In the 90+7th minute, while retreating to defend, Aymen Hussein, the hero who scored Iraq's only goal, inadvertently scored an own goal, sealing a 4-1 victory for Norway.
Statistics and final results
This victory gives Norway a significant advantage in the race for a place in the knockout round, and also confirms the strong return of Nordic football to the world stage.
| Parameter | Iraq | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 1 | 4 |
| Score a goal | Aymen Hussein (39') | Erling Haaland (29', 43'), Leo Ostigard (76'), Aymen Hussein (90+7' - OG) |
With the explosive form of their Premier League stars, Norway promises to be a formidable opponent for any team at the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, Iraq needs to quickly regroup if they want to keep their hopes alive in the upcoming matches.