Haaland Scores Twice on World Cup Debut as Norway Beat
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Norway opened their World Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Iraq at Foxborough, Mass., their first World Cup appearance since 1998, with Erling Haaland scoring twice in his tournament debut
- Haaland's first goal came immediately after a hydration break off a low cross from David Møller Wolfe; after Iraq equalized through an Aymen Hussein header, Haaland pounced on a backline mistake by Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan to tap into an empty net
- Kristian Thorstvedt added the final goal in stoppage time with Haaland credited for the assist, completing the scoring in the convincing victory
- Haaland's two goals were his 56th and 57th for Norway, extending his lead as the country's all-time top scorer and equalling Kjetil Rekdal's Norwegian record for most World Cup goals
- Haaland, 25, told ESPN something had felt "missing" from a career full of club silverware at Manchester City, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Euro 2024, and said of the debut: "now it finally happened, and it was about time"
- Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said he sensed Haaland was ready after watching him loose in the final training session, adding: "The occasion wasn't too big for him."
- Norway face Senegal in New Jersey on June 22 before returning to Foxborough to take on France on June 26, with Iraq playing in just their second World Cup after debuting in 1986
Why it matters: Haaland's first World Cup at age 25 — after a trophy-laden club career at Manchester City — gives Norway a genuine goalscoring anchor they haven't had on this stage since 1998. With his two-goal haul tying the all-time Norwegian World Cup record and group games against Senegal and France still to come, the striker's form will determine whether Norway advance past the group stage for the first time in a generation.
