Norway vs Iraq player ratings: Welcome to the party, Erling Haaland! A two-goal forward keeps the Dark Horses at bay in a hard-fought World Cup opener
Erling Haaland was the expected protagonist as Norway secured a crucial 4-1 win over Iraq in their first World Cup match since 1998 on Tuesday. The Manchester City striker’s brace in the first half proved decisive, helping to ensure the Black Horses got off to a winning start in Boston in the so-called ‘Group of Death’.
The Scandinavians had a shaky start in their return to the World Cup finals after a 28-year absence, but City’s goal machine calmed the nerves, stretching the ball out to slot home at the back post just before the half-hour mark.
Against all odds, Iraq equalized within 10 minutes through Ayman Hussein’s powerful header, but the equalizer was short-lived as Haaland’s tireless pressing paid off. He took advantage of a back pass, and the Iraqi goalkeeper was too slow to react, chipping the ball into the striker’s knee.
The Asian nation struck again immediately, with David Muller-Wolf having to make a save from close range, and Akam Hashim curling a shot over the bar with the final kick of the first half.
Norway had more control after the break, doubling their lead through substitute Leo Ostegaard with just over 10 minutes to play, and after Haaland had missed a hat-trick, they added some polish to the scoreline when a talismanic header across goal led to an Iraqi defender putting the ball into his own net.
goal Rating of Norwegian players in Boston…
