Erling Haaland Shines in Norway's Dominant World Cup Opener

WHO:

Sportskeeda - Norway national football team, Iraq national football team, Erling Haaland

Daily Mail Sports - Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe

WHAT:

Daily Mail Sports - Norway's victory over Iraq was marked by a total of four goals, with Haaland scoring two and contributing to an own goal by Aymen Hussein.

Yahoo Sports - Norway's win against Iraq was their first World Cup victory since 1998, and they are currently tied with France at the top of Group I, with Norway holding the edge in goal differential due to a late own goal.

The New York Times - Norway's win against Iraq marked their first time scoring four goals in a single match at a major tournament.

Daily Mail Sports - Norway's victory over Iraq was marked by Erling Haaland scoring both of Norway's first-half goals, leading to a 2-1 scoreline at halftime.

Opta Analyst - Aymen Hussein's goal for Iraq was their second all-time goal in the FIFA World Cup, with their first coming in a 2-1 defeat to Belgium in 1986.

Daily Mail Sports - Erling Haaland has scored multiple goals in each of his last five competitive appearances for Norway, totaling 13 goals during that span.

Yahoo Sports - Norway's victory over Iraq marked their first win in a World Cup match since 1998.

Opta Analyst - Norway's four-goal performance is the first time they have scored four goals in a single match at a major tournament.

Yahoo Sports - Norway's victory marked their first World Cup win since advancing to the Round of 16 in France in 1998.

Daily Mail Sports - Norway won their first match in the competition after a 56-year absence between 1938 and 1994, recording a 1-0 win over Mexico in Washington, D.C.

Opta Analyst - Norway won the expected goals (xG) battle 2.53 to 0.77.

Yahoo Sports - Norway moved atop the Group I standings after the match, with both Norway and France having three points, but Norway holding the edge in goal differential due to the late own goal.

Opta Analyst - Norway's four-goal performance marks the first time they have scored three or more goals in a match across their history in the FIFA World Cup and European Championships (12th match).

Opta Analyst - Erling Haaland is the first player to score multiple goals in a FIFA World Cup match for Norway.

Opta Analyst - Aymen Hussein scored Iraq’s second all-time goal in the FIFA World Cup.

Sportskeeda - Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in their World Cup opener.

Daily Mail Sports - Erling Haaland scored two goals in the match, marking his World Cup debut.

WHERE:

Sportskeeda - The match took place at Boston Stadium.

WHEN:

Yahoo Sports - Norway's next match is against Senegal on Monday, followed by a showdown with France on June 26.

Daily Mail Sports - This was Norway's first World Cup appearance in 28 years.

WHY:

Daily Mail Sports - The victory marked a significant return for Norway to the FIFA World Cup stage.

HOW:

The New York Times - A malfunctioning sprinkler at Gillette Stadium caused a delay during halftime as staff scrambled to repair the field.

The New York Times - A malfunctioning sprinkler erupted at Gillette Stadium during halftime, causing a delay as staff scrambled to repair the field.

Opta Analyst - Norway led at half-time of a FIFA World Cup match for the first time, having scored just once in the first half of their previous eight matches in the competition.

Opta Analyst - Haaland has scored at least one goal in 17 of his last 20 competitive appearances for Norway dating back to the start of 2023.

Sportskeeda - Norway showcased a dominant performance against Iraq, leading to a comfortable win.

Norway celebrated a significant victory over Iraq, scoring four goals, with Haaland netting two and contributing to an own goal by Aymen Hussein. This win marks Norway's first World Cup victory since 1998 and places them tied with France at the top of Group I, thanks to their superior goal differential. The match was briefly delayed at Gillette Stadium due to a malfunctioning sprinkler, as staff worked to repair the field during halftime.