Norway began its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Iraq.
Erling Haaland started up top alongside Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa. Martin Ødegaard and Sander Berge led the machine in the midfield while Julian Ryerson and Kristoffer Ajer led the defensive efforts. Sevilla goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.
Iraq was lead by Aymen Hussein and Ali Al-Hamadi up top and Amir Al-Ammari in the midfield. Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan captained the Asian side.
Haaland nearly made some magic early on as he was played in on goal and had a fantastic touch ahead but wasn't able to get a shot on goal. Haaland headed a ball forward in the 7th minute and broke free but his pass across the goal was easily dealt with by Hassan.
Within the first few minutes of the game, it was clear that both sides were willing to play a more physical style. Both Norway and Iraq got called four fouls with the official deeming the play to be just over the limit of legal defending.
Iraq did a good job of picking its moments to press and put Norway under pressure. It was able to force a number of turnovers in the early minutes of the match which gave the Lions of Mesopatamia valuable time with the ball at their feet.
Al-Hamadi got Iraq's first real chance of the evening in the 12th minute with a shot at the top of the box but it sailed over goal. Haaland got free for a header in the 20th minute off a corner but similarily his attempt on goal sailed over the bar.
Musa was dragged down in the 22th minute in what appeared to be a knee-to-knee collission but no card was given. Referee Pierre Atcho seemed more than willing to let the physical play go on without handing out any cards.
After the hydration break Norway and Haaland would strike first. Musa got played forward on the flank and crossed the ball across the face of goal for a trailing Haaland. The Man City striker made a diving effort and was able to clip the ball into the back of the net in the 29th minute.
But Iraq would strike back in the 39th minute, Al-Ammari was able to get to the end line where he sent in a cross. Hussein rose above his opposition and leveld the score prior to halftime. It was his 33rd international goal.
But then Haaland showed how he can do something that Kylian Mbappe seemingly can't do; press his opponent. A slow rolling pass was sent back to Hassan and the striker was able to run onto the ball and muscle it into the net.
Al-Hamadi got a one-on-one chance in stoppage time but his shot dribbled past the keeper and out of bounds. Akam Hashem then blasted a shot on goal but was unable to find the back of the net.
Iraq opened the second half searching for an equalizer. It was gaining entries into the final third but failing to take advantage.
Two changes came in the 59th minute as Zaid Ismael and Ali Alhamadi were replaced by Zidane Iqbal and Marko Farji. In the 63rd minute, Iraq looked to strike back as a cross into the box found Hussein Ali but his chip had too much air on it and floated on top of goal.
Norway made a bevy of changes after the hydration break as Leo Østigård, Andreas Schjelderup, Oscar Bobb and Kristian Thorstvedt replaced David Møller Wolfe, Frederik Aursenes, Sørloth and Nusa. Iraq also brought on Mustafa Saadoon and Ahmed Qasem for Ali Jasim and Ali.
Østigård made an instant impact scoring off a corner in the 77th minute. After the goal Ibrahim Bayesh was replaced by Mohanad Ali. Then in the 81st minute Ødegaard was subbed off in favor of Patrick Berg. With the captain coming off the armband went to Haaland.
On own goal in stoppage time would end the scoring for the day and give Norway a 4-1 win.
Overall when looking at the match, Iraq had a good showing. If it wasn't for a silly mistake they likely leave with at least a point as the match could have looked a lot different if it remained level
For Norway, it puts them level with France as the match between the best strikers in the world looms over the Nordic side. Haaland and Mbappe are level on goals.
Iraq plays France next on the 22nd while Norway plays Senegal on the same day.
