After 28 years of absence from the World Cup, Norway returned in style this Tuesday (16), with a 4-1 victory over Iraq in their debut in Group I of the World Cup. In his first participation in the World Cup, striker Erling Haaland was on the field, with two goals scored and an assist. A sensation in the European qualifiers, with a 100% success rate, the Norwegian team closes the first round of the World Cup group stage at the top of the group, ahead of France, due to the lower goal difference. 28 års ventetid er over 🇳🇴 Kampen er i gang i Boston! Hey Norge! pic.twitter.com/IOanTJ2ZHY June 16, 2026 Related news: France beats Senegal 3-1 in their World Cup Group I debut. Iran: US player visa expired after a single game. Neymar goes to the field for the first time in training for the Brazilian team. The first half started fiercely. With their tall stature, the Norwegians fought hand to hand with the Iraqis blocking them in midfield. Number 9 Haaland opened the scoring in the 27th minute, after a collective play on the left, started by striker Nusa. He went up to the mark, rolled it to full-back David Moller Wolfe, who crossed low for Haaland to push the ball into the goal. Iraq was not intimidated and went on the attack. In the 38th minute, Aymen Hussein left everything the same at Boston Stadium. After Al-Ammari's cross, the Iraqi center forward jumped higher than three Norwegian defenders to head the ball into the back of the net. Four minutes later the Lions broke the tie, after a mistake by defender Tahseen when he passed the ball back to goalkeeper Hassan. Attentive, Haaland shot towards the ball, won the tackle with Hassan and scored his second of the match. Chosen by the fans: Erling Haaland, your @MichelobUltra Superior Player of the Match. 👑#FIFAWorldCup #SuperiorPOTM pic.twitter.com/ELaueyLcHO June 17, 2026   In the final stage, the Norwegians dictated the pace of the game. In the 31st minute, Odegaard took a corner from the penalty area, so Ostigaard jumped free and headed the ball into the back of the net. With a 3-1 lead on the scoreboard, the Norwegians dominated the field, with no resistance from the Iraqis. In stoppage time, Haaland took advantage of a cross at the second post to head towards midfielder Thorstvedt who was in the small area. In the ball dispute with the Iraqi defense He also competed for the ball with the Iraqi defense in the small area after a cross at the second post, Haaland won the dispute from the top, headed into the small area towards Thorstvedt. The midfielder competed for the ball with the Iraqi defense, but it ended up going in. Own goal for Norway, scored by Hussein.