Iraq 1-4 Norway: Haaland bags brace as Iraq impress in Boston | OneFootball

Iraq put up a good fight in Boston but ultimately suffered a 1-4 loss against Norway in their Group I opener at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Erling Haaland scored twice in the first half, either side of Aymen Hussein’s effort that gave the Lions of Mesopotamia a glimmer of hope.

But while Iraq could have dragged themselves level before the break when a great chance fell for Akram Hashim on the edge of the box, it was a thunderous header from substitute Leo Ostigard and a late own goal by Aymen Hussein that proved to be decisive as Norway doubled their advantage to move above France on goal difference.

As it happened

Almost thirty years on since their last appearance at a FIFA World Cup, Norway found themselves under the cosh early on as Aymen Hussein – who was held by immigration for seven hours after arriving in the United States – managed to steer a header towards goal, though it never looked like troubling Orjan Nyland between the sticks.

But the Landslaget, with Erling Haaland leading the line, were always going to cause problems for the Iraqi defence and the Manchester City man danced past Zaid Tahseen inside the opening ten minutes in an early search for the opener, only to see his cross gathered with ease by Jalal Hassan.

In a group that also contains Senegal and France, Iraq have been widely tipped to finish bottom but they came close to stunning their Scandinavian opponents in Boston when Ipswich Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi found space to get a shot off inside the box, although it flew well over the target.

It was almost inevitable that Haaland would have some kind of meaningful effect on his first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, and it arrived just before the half-hour mark as David Moller Wolfe darted down the left flank to whip an inch-perfect ball in for the Manchester City forward, who turned home at the far post.

Norway’s lead lasted all of ten minutes though. Having sent his early chance skywards, Aymen Hussein ensured his second attempt did not suffer the same fate, nodding a low header from Amir Al Ammari’s cross beyond Nyland to put Iraq level in their first FIFA World Cup appearance in 40 years.

But the Lions of Mesopotamia would have their hearts broken just moments later, and – of course – it was Haaland that pounced upon a poor attempt at clearance from captain Hassan to restore Norway’s lead at a crucial moment just before the break.

Despite having restored their lead, though, the half-time whistle simply couldn’t come quick enough for Ståle Solbakken’s men, who came worryingly close to conceding an equaliser for the second time in the dying seconds of the half as Al-Hamadi rolled just wide of the target before Akram Hashim’s emphatic volley from the edge of the box brushed the roof of the net as it flew marginally over the crossbar.

Iraq did well to keep applying that pressure after play resumed and Aymen Hussein perhaps should have dragged his side level in the 53rd minute when he met Ibrahim Bayesh’s cross from the right, though he turned his header just wide of the target.

A cross from the opposite flank 10 minutes later looked to present a good chance for Bayesh, though it was overhit and sailed through to the back post where right-back Hussein Ali was waiting. His attempt settled on the roof of the net, though.

Failing to convert their chances proved costly for an Iraqi side that had been so impressive throughout the first hour at the Boston Stadium, as substitute Leo Ostigard turned home a bullet header from a corner just three minutes after being introduced a substitute to double Norway’s advantage.

And in what could ultimately be a decisive moment if this group is to be decided by goal difference, Kristian Thorstvedt bundled over the line from close range in the dying seconds to wrap up a well-deserved Norwegian win – though the goal was officially credited as an own goal by Iraq’s Aymen Hussein.