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.