Kolkata : Both Norway and Iraq were back on the global stage for the first time this century and it was a man that entered with a tick over a half century of international goals, Erling Haaland, who handed Norway the early advantage.
A move that began with goalkeeper Orjan Nyland cycled through 14 passes before David Moller Wolfe delivered a cross from the left that Haaland slid in to poke home at the back post.
Ten minutes later, veteran forward Aymen Hussein became just the second Iraqi player to score a World Cup goal as he rose to meet Amir Al Ammari’s chipped cross and plant a header past Nyland.
Haaland then pounced on a mix-up between Zaid Tahseen and Jalal Hassan to restore Norway’s advantage and send them to the break with a lead for the first team at a World Cup.
Substitute Leo Ostigard, three-and-a-half minutes after his second-half arrival, extended the lead as he was left all alone at a corner to stride towards goal and power a header past Hassan. A late Hussein own goal saw Norway complete an ultimately comfortable win to move to the head of the Group I standings.
Haaland on dream World Cup debut
On the eve of Norway’s FIFA World Cup 2026™, coach Stale Solbakken labelled Erling Haaland as the “best goalscorer in the world”.
To no-one’s surprise, the powerhouse No9 wasted little time in backing up his boss’s claim on his debut at the global finals.
His predatory first-half double set his team on the way to a 4-1 win over Iraq at Boston Stadium, and a beaming Haaland described his emotions following a clinical display.
“I think most people saw how I felt on the big screen [inside the stadium], so I don’t think I need to tell too many people! But it feels good, of course, and I’m proud. I’m incredibly proud to make my World Cup debut and to win Norway’s first World Cup match in 28 years.
“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 were expected to win and we won fortunately. Now everybody in Norway will be happy and I hope people will party!”
Haaland’s goalscoring tally for Norway now stands at a barely plausible 57 goals in 51 appearances.
Fifty-one of those goals have come during Solbakken’s tenure, and the Manchester City star explained how the pair have forged a strong bond. On whether he agreed with Solbakken’s claim that he is the best in the business, meanwhile, Haaland provided a glimpse into his relentless mentality.
“First of all, the relationship is good. You have seen that since he started with the national team. We have been developing a good relationship, and we have been performing well on the pitch. That’s the most important thing,” the 25-year-old revealed.
“As for being the best goalscorer, I think I’m up there. But I don’t think I scored the most goals this season, so statistically I’m not. I think Harry Kane and [Kylian] Mbappe scored more goals than me. So, no, I’m not.”
While Haaland – who scored 38 goals for City in 2025/26 – was not prepared to put himself on a pedestal, team-mate Sander Berge was effusive in his praise for the superstar striker.
“Erling is so efficient and deadly,” he said. “At any moment, he can break through for us and score. He delivers all the time. He’s ready for any challenges.”
On Haaland’s character, Berge added: “He is actually the most laid-back guy ever! You can’t tell he’s about to play a game until the referee blows the whistle. Then when the game starts, he’s at it. You can always see the hunger in him when it’s game time and there’s something at stake. He’s an animal.”
