Erling Haaland chose a monumental occasion to showcase his exceptional skill in front of the world, scoring twice before halftime during Norway's impressive 4-1 triumph over Iraq in their Group I opener, held at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. This match marked Norway's return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence, and Haaland ensured that they made the most of their opportunity.
Norway soared into the match, gaining control early. Haaland secured his first-ever World Cup goal in the 29th minute, making a statement that he could deliver on the biggest stage. Just as Iraq started to find momentum, with Aymen Hussein narrowing the score to 3-1 in the 39th minute, Haaland struck again only minutes later, making it 3-1 by halftime and further dampening Iraq's hopes.
The second half saw Norway continue to dominate the game. Leo Ostigard added a fourth goal in the 76th minute, while a deflected own goal from Hussein compounded Iraq's woes. Haaland's standout performance earned him the FIFA Man of the Match title, reflecting a broader resurgence for Norway as they move forward in the tournament, now level on points with France at the top of Group I. This victory not only marks Norway’s return to World Cup action but also raises questions about their potential trajectory in the competition as they aim for a deeper run than their last participation in 1998, when they reached the round of 16 after a well-celebrated win against Brazil.