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Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup Group I, according to reports from Goal.com and T24. Forward Erling Haaland scored two goals to secure the victory, earning Norway its first three points of the tournament.
- Final Score: Iraq 1-4 Norway
- Top Scorer: Erling Haaland (2 goals)
- Competition: 2026 World Cup, Group I
- Result: Norway’s first win of the tournament
How Haaland Led Norway to Victory
Erling Haaland dominated the match, netting two goals to ensure a decisive result for the Norwegian side. According to T24, the performance by the star forward was the primary driver behind Norway’s three points. While the final scoreline suggests a blowout, Goal.com reported that the opening match was a challenging encounter before Norway established control.
Differing Perspectives on the Match Flow
Reports on the nature of the game varied across different media outlets. Goal.com characterized the match as a difficult start for the Norwegian team, noting the struggle involved in securing the win. In contrast, Mynet described the victory as a comfortable one, stating that Norway passed through Iraq with ease.
Despite these differing interpretations of the match’s difficulty, all sources agree that the offensive output from Norway was sufficient to overcome the Iraqi defense, resulting in a three-goal margin of victory.
