Iraq met Norway in the World Cup
Norway’s long-awaited return to the World Cup could hardly have started better. Erling Braut Haaland scored twice, Leo Østigård added a third goal from a corner, and an own goal in injury time made it 4-1 over a valiant Iraq team that forced Ståle Solbakken’s men to work far harder than the final score suggests.
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Iraq, back in the World Cup for the first time since 1986, shocked Norway with an early intensity that took everyone by surprise, and was rewarded with a well-deserved equalizer through Ayman Hussein’s thunderous nod.
But Haaland, as always, had the last word in the first half, and Norway’s superior quality eventually decided the game.
Haaland netted his first World Cup goal
Norway took the lead after 29 minutes when Antonio Nusa drifted through midfield and released David Møller Wolfe down the left side.
The full-back’s powerful run took him all the way to the dead line, and his low cross was put into the net by a sliding Haaland at the back post.
Iraq barely had time to feel sorry for itself. They had been the better team in the opening minutes, pressing aggressively and creating the first chance of the game through Hussein, who nodded over from a free-kick in the fifth minute.
Iraq continued to cause problems, and the equalizer was fully deserved. Ali Jasim’s work on the left freed Amir Al-Ammari at the set-piece, and his superb cross was met by Hussein, who rose to the air and hammered a header into the bottom right corner.
It looked like Iraq was going to go to halftime with a draw, and they were a hair’s breadth away. Bayesh’s close-range finish was brilliantly saved by Møller Wolfe’s knee, Al-Hamadi’s shot narrowly missed a defender, and Hashim’s volley from the edge of the field went inches over the crossbar in a wild end to the half.
But the equalizer only lasted four minutes. Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan tried to play the ball out from behind, but was immediately pressured by Haaland, who forced the ball into the net at close range – a messy, but completely typical second goal.
Norway controlled as Iraq ran out of strength
Iraq came out to the second half with the same courage that had characterized the first. Ali’s close-range volley almost equalized again after 63 minutes, leaving goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland without a chance.
But Solbakken’s adjustments at half-time gradually gave control. Martin Ødegaard, who had sent a promising shot outside the box in the first half, grew into the game and took control of the pace.
Norway’s superior physique began to show as Iraq’s energy levels dropped, not least when Jasim – one of their biggest threats – had to be carried off the pitch after a collision with Nusa.
Norway’s third goal came after 76 minutes, and it was a corner executed to perfection. Ødegaard’s cross from the right corner was beautiful – he hung the ball into a dangerous area where substitute Østigård steered a precise header past Hassan.
Late own goal embellished the result
Haaland came close to the hat-trick he deserved when he intercepted a sloppy rebound and forced Hassan into a close-range save with eight minutes left.
However, he was not denied a third assist. Deep in overtime, Ajer sent a cross from the right that Haaland nodded back, and Thorstvedt’s touch was unfortunately steered into his own goal by Hussein.
Norway will now face Senegal in their second group match, while Iraq will have to gather quickly ahead of the daunting challenge of facing France – the tournament’s second major in Group I.
