What a monster! Haaland scores a brace on World Cup debut... Norway crushes Iraq 4-1, handing Asia's first defeat

*This content was translated by AI.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City, dubbed "the monster," scored a brace in his World Cup debut.

On the 17th (Korea time), Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in the first match of Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, held at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA, at 7 a.m. Haaland's brace was instrumental in the victory.

Norway, which qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, opened the tournament with a win. Meanwhile, Iraq suffered the first defeat for an Asian Football Confederation member in this tournament. In the opening round, South Korea and Australia won, while Qatar, Japan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia drew.

Led by Erling Haaland of Manchester City, one of the world's top strikers, Norway fielded an attack featuring players from top clubs, including Antonio Nusa of Leipzig, Alexander Sørloth of Atlético Madrid, and Martin Ødegaard of Arsenal.

The early flow of the match was surprisingly tight. Iraq, which qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years, did not appear intimidated by Norway, who held a clear advantage in overall strength. Iraq took shots in the 5th minute through Ayman Hussein and again in the 13th minute through Ali Al-Hamadi.

In contrast, Norway failed to register a single shot until the middle of the first half. It was not until the 20th minute that Haaland attempted a header from a corner kick, but he missed, sending the ball well over the crossbar.

Nevertheless, the savior was Haaland. Touching the ball only three times before the hydration break, Haaland scored on his fourth touch. In the 29th minute, David Møller Wolfe drove the ball into the penalty area from the left side, and Haaland slid to push it into the net. This marked Haaland's debut goal in the World Cup.

However, Norway's lead did not last long. In the 39th minute, Amir Al-Amari delivered a cross from deep on the left side of the penalty area, and tall striker Ayman Hussein leaped high to head the ball into the net.

Haaland once again stepped up as the savior. In the 43rd minute, when an Iraqi defender passed the ball to the goalkeeper, Haaland charged fiercely to apply high pressure. The flustered goalkeeper hurriedly cleared the ball, but it struck Haaland's foot and went into the goal. For Iraq, it was a disappointing and bewildering goal conceded.

Iraq continued to counterattack without being intimidated, launching several dangerous shots during stoppage time in the first half to threaten Norway's goal, but they failed to equalize. The first half ended with Norway leading 2-1.

The second half began with a lull. Norway failed to create any significant chances until the middle of the second half, while Iraq appeared to be the more aggressive side.

After the hydration break, Norway made four substitutions at once, bringing on Nusa, Wolfe, Sørloth, and Aursnes, making changes across the attack, second line, and defense.

The substitutions proved effective. Leo Østigård scored an additional goal for Norway just four minutes after coming on. In the 31st minute of the second half, Ødegaard delivered a cross from a corner kick, which Østigård headed cleanly into the net.

Haaland aimed for a hat trick, but it did not come to fruition. In the 37th minute of the second half, he took a left-footed shot from the right side of the box, but the goalkeeper made the save.

Christian Torstveit scored another goal during stoppage time in the second half, sealing a 4-1 victory for Norway.

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*This content was translated by AI.