Iraq vs Norway

Norway made a thunderous return to the World Cup stage, demolishing Iraq 4-1 in Boston. Erling Haaland's long-awaited debut was the headline act, two first-half goals that set the tone for a commanding Group I victory. Haaland poked home David Møller Wolfe's low cross in the 29th minute before Aymen Hussein briefly levelled with a powerful header on 39 minutes. Haaland restored the lead just before the break, deflecting the goalkeeper's clearance into the net. Leo Østigård headed in from a corner to make it 3-1 in the 76th minute, and Hussein capped a painful evening by turning Haaland's header into his own net deep in stoppage time. No red cards or penalties, but Iraq were punished for squandering several first-half chances to equalise. Norway are off to a flying start in their first World Cup since 1998, while Iraq, back at football's biggest stage for the first time since 1986, will need to regroup quickly if they are to salvage their group stage campaign.