Haaland's dream debut: Norway returns to World Cup with dominant win over Iraq

Erling Haaland announced his arrival on the World Cup stage with a brace in his debut, powering Norway to a resounding 4-1 victory over Iraq in Boston. This win signifies a triumphant return for the Norwegian national team to the global tournament after a 28-year hiatus, dating back to the 1998 World Cup in France.

The three points earned place Norway level with France at the top of Group I, a formidable group widely dubbed the 'group of death.' The upcoming clash between Norway and France in Boston is already generating significant anticipation as one of the most attractive fixtures of the tournament's initial phase.

Iraq, the final team to qualify for this 48-team World Cup, initially surprised Norway with a display of both skill and physicality. However, a controversial hydration break appeared to disrupt Iraq's momentum. Shortly after play resumed, Haaland opened the scoring for Norway with a clinical finish following a swift attacking move.

Iraq briefly equalized through Aymen Hussein's powerful header, marking their first World Cup goal in 40 years. Yet, their joy was short-lived. Haaland capitalized on a defensive error, pressuring a risky back-pass to the goalkeeper and forcing the ball into the net for his second goal, restoring Norway's lead just before halftime.

Despite Iraq's efforts to find an equalizer in the second half, Norway secured their victory with a third goal from a set piece and a fourth, solidifying their strong start to the tournament. Haaland, now 25, had missed the previous World Cup in Qatar.