Erling Haaland scored either side of Iraq’s equaliser as Norway began their FIFA World Cup 2026™ campaign with a 4-1 win over Iraq in Group I at Boston Stadium on Tuesday 16 June.
Haaland’s brace set the tone, with substitute Leo Ostigard adding a third and a late Aymen Hussein own goal completing the scoring. The result moved Norway to the head of the Group I standings after the opening round of matches.
Haaland was also named the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match following a performance that delivered two goals and put Norway in control for long stretches.
How the match unfolded: Haaland strikes, Iraq respond, Norway pull away
Both nations returned to the World Cup stage for the first time this century, and it was Norway who made the early breakthrough through their prolific forward. Haaland opened the scoring in the 29th minute after a move that started with goalkeeper Orjan Nyland and was worked through 14 passes before David Moller Wolfe delivered a cross from the left. Haaland slid in at the back post to poke home and put Norway 1-0 up.
Iraq hit back ten minutes later. Aymen Hussein levelled in the 39th minute, rising to meet Amir Al Ammari’s chipped cross and planting a header past Nyland to make it 1-1.
Norway restored their advantage before half-time. Haaland pounced on a mix-up between Zaid Tahseen and Jalal Hassan in the 43rd minute to make it 2-1, sending Norway into the break with a lead.
In the second half, Norway added breathing space through a set-piece. Leo Ostigard, introduced as a substitute, scored just three-and-a-half minutes after coming on. Left unmarked at a corner, he strode towards goal and powered a header past Hassan in the 76th minute to put Norway 3-1 ahead.
Iraq’s difficult night ended with a late own goal. In stoppage time, Aymen Hussein was credited with an own goal at 90+6 as Norway made it 4-1 and sealed what the match report described as an ultimately comfortable win.
Speaking after the match, Haaland said: “My first goal was nice, the second even nicer so it’s fantastic and I’m proud of everyone that we could get off to a good start. We know though that the next games will be even tougher and we will have to play even better. We were expected to win and we won fortunately. Now everybody in Norway will be happy and I hope people will party!”
What it means in Group I and key notes
The win placed Norway top of Group I after the opening round, with the standings showing Norway on three points with a 4-1 goal difference. France also won their opener to sit second on three points, while Senegal and Iraq were left without points after matchday one.
There was also a milestone for Norway’s goalkeeper. At 35 years and 279 days, Orjan Nyland became the oldest player to make a World Cup appearance for Norway, a key stat noted in the match report.
For Norway, the headline was Haaland’s decisive finishing at key moments: the opener to establish control, and the second to regain the lead quickly after Iraq’s equaliser. Ostigard’s quick impact off the bench then stretched the advantage, and the late own goal ensured the scoreline reflected Norway’s strong start to the tournament.
Norway’s next matches in Group I will test their early momentum, as Haaland noted in his post-match comments that “the next games will be even tougher” and that the team will need to “play even better” to build on this opening victory.