Haaland scores brace in World Cup debut, leads Norway to victory

Norway's "monster striker" Erling Haaland made his World Cup debut an unforgettable one, scoring a brace to lead his team to a commanding 4-1 victory over Iraq. The Manchester City star's performance was central to Norway's triumphant return to the World Cup finals after a 28-year hiatus.

Haaland etched his name in Norwegian football history by becoming the first player from the nation to score multiple goals in a single World Cup match. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given Norway's modest scoring record in previous World Cup appearances, where they had managed only six goals across eight games prior to this tournament.

His clinical display saw him convert two goals from five attempts, with both strikes coming from inside the penalty area. Demonstrating his versatility, one goal was scored with his left foot and the other with his right. Beyond his scoring prowess, Haaland also created a key chance and drew three fouls, showcasing his all-around impact on the game.