Erling Haaland stole the show during Norway’s opening Group I match, netting a brace on his FIFA World Cup debut as they walloped Iraq 4-1 at the Boston Stadium.
Making their first appearances on the global stage since 1986 and 1998, respectively, Iraq and Norway got their campaigns underway following France’s 3-1 win over Senegal earlier in the day in Group I.
With just 29 minutes into the contest, Haaland turned in a low cross from David Møller Wolfe at the far post to give the Vikings a lead. The Lions of Mesopotamia drew parity ten minutes later when Aymen Hussein got on the end of Amir Al-Ammari’s delivery to guide the ball past Ørjan Nyland with his head.
Haaland caught Iraq napping at the back, intercepting a backpass to the goalkeeper before applying the final touch as the ball tricked over the goal line just before the break.
The points were secured in the second stanza through a Leo Østigård header and an own goal from Iraq’s first-half scorer Hussein.
Norway’s resounding 4-1 victory placed them at the summit of Group I ahead of 2022 FIFA World Cup finalists France, while Iraq occupies the bottom spot.
Haaland downplays ‘world’s best striker’ tag.
Haaland maintained his fierce reputation for producing headline performances on his debut. The two goals on his FIFA World Cup debut vs. Iraq added to his impressive feats, including a hat-trick on his UEFA Champions League debut with RB Salzburg, a treble on his Bundesliga debut with Dortmund, and a brace on his Premier League debut with Manchester City.
When asked about being labelled the best striker in the world, Haaland responded, “In terms of goalscoring. I am up there. But I don’t think I scored the most goals this season. So, statistically, no. I am not [the best striker in the world]. I think Harry Kane and Mbappe scored more goals than me.”
Iraq’s Merchas Doski reacted after the match, “For 60 minutes we played very well but then we made too many mistakes and Norway made the most of them. It was a deserved win for them.”
Ranked 31st in the FIFA rankings, Norway will meet 15th placed Senegal next at the MetLife Stadium on June 23, while Iraq faces the daunting task of Kylian Mbappe’s France a day earlier.
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