◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ Erling Håland nets brace as Norway thrashed Iraq 4-1..

Norway secured a dominant 4-1 victory over Iraq in their opening Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico at the Gillette Stadium in Boston on Tuesday.

In the first half, Håland scored by a sliding the ball into the net, Hussein then pulled one back by scoring with a header, and Håland capitalized on a crucial defensive error to intercept the ball and easily score. In the second half, Østigård scored with a header goal, and Thorstvedt's header forced an own goal from Iraq's goalscorer Hussein. Ultimately, Norway cruised to a 4-1 win over Iraq. After this round of matches, the Vikings temporarily lead the group with 3 points; the Lions of Mesopotamia are at the bottom with 0 points.

First Half

In the 13th minute, Aymen Hussein passes horizontally from the attacking third, Ali Al-Hammadi quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before volleying with his right foot from the center of the box, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

7 minutes later, Norway earned a corner kick opportunity. Julian Ryerson took the corner by crossing ball into the box. Erling Håland rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort flew high and went out of the pitch.

In the 29th minute, David Møller Wolfe passes horizontally from the left side of the box. Håland quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, slid the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from a very close distance in the box with his with his left foot, Norway broke the deadlock first to take a 1-0 lead!

8 minutes later, Alexander Sørloth passes horizontally from the attacking third. Martin Ødegaard quickly followed up, got the ball and adjusted his angle before taking a left-footed long shot from just outside of the penalty area, but his shot went wide of the right side of the post.

In the 39th minute, Amir Al-Ammari crossed from the byline at the left side of the box. Aymen Hussein rose high and scored with a header in the box, leveling the score at 1-1 for Iraq! This was the 33rd international goal for Iraq's all-time leading goalscorer!

4 minutes later, Norway launched a deadly quick counter-attack opportunity. Hussein Ali made an error while clearing in his own box, allowing Håland to intercept and slot the ball past the outrushing Jalal Hassan into the bottom right corner of the empty net for his second goal, putting Norway ahead at 2-1! The Manchester City striker scored twice in just 40 minutes in his World Cup debut!

In the 6th minute of first-half stoppage time, Ali Jasim made a through ball from near the midfield center circle. After beating the offside trap, Al-Hamadi quickly got the ball, and dribbled into the right side of the box before volleying with his right foot against the outrushing Ørjan Nyland, but his shot went just slightly wide of the bottom left corner of the post, Iraq missed a golden opportunity to equalize the scoreline!

1 minute later, Al-Ammari crossed into the box from the right wing. His pass was initially headed and cleared off not far away by Håland. Akram Hashim quickly followed up and after picking up the loose ball, took a right-footed half-volley from the right side of the box, but his shot went slightly just over the crossbar.

At halftime, Norway temporarily enter the break leading Iraq by 2-1.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 53rd minute, Ibrahim Bayesh crossed into the box from the right wing. Houssein rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort went just wide of the bottom left corner of the post.

In the 76th minute, Oscar Bobb passed the ball back from the right side of the box. Kristian Thorstvedt quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with his left foot from the right side of the box, but his shot was saved by Merchas Doski.

1 minutes later, Norway earned a crucial corner kick opportunity. Martin Ødegaard took the corner by crossing it into the box, where Leo Østigård rose high and scored with a header, extending Norway's lead to 3-1!

In the 82nd minute, Norway launched a quick counter-attack. Zidane Iqbal misplaced a back pass in his own back half, allowing Håland to intercept, got the ball and dribble into the right side of the box before striking the ball with his left footed against the outrushing Hassan, but his shot was saved by the latter. Iraq escaped from a close call!

In the 6th minute of stoppage injury time, Kristoffer Ajer crossed into the box from the right wing. Håland headed the ball across, where Thorstvedt rose high and attempted with a header in the box which was inadvertently deflected by Hussein into his own net, sealing a 4-1 victory for Norway!

When the final whistle is blown, Norway thrashed Iraq 4-1.

Image source: Internet / Associated Press