Haaland Scores Two on World Cup Debut as Norway Crush Iraq 4-1: England’s Knockout Warning

Erling Haaland had been waiting his entire career for a World Cup. On 16 June 2026, he made it worth the wait. Two goals, a near hat-trick, and a man-of-the-match rating of 7.9 out of 10 from BBC Sport readers as Norway demolished Iraq 4-1. For Thomas Tuchel’s England, in Group L, this is not background noise — if both sides advance, Haaland is waiting in the knockout rounds.

Two goals, a near hat-trick, and the best player on the pitch

Erling Haaland announced himself at his first World Cup with two goals and a performance that left Iraq with no answers. Rated 7.9 out of 10 by BBC Sport readers, he finished comfortably ahead of Iraq’s Aymen Hussein (7.78) — who scored only his country’s second-ever World Cup goal — and Ali Jasim (7.28). Norway won 4-1 and were never seriously threatened after the opening stages.

The numbers have always backed Haaland. He averaged 0.82 goals per game for Manchester City last season. He scores on debut. He scores when it matters. The World Cup stage changes nothing for him.

The specific problem England must solve before a potential meeting

England are in Group L. Norway are in Group I. Both are expected to progress. A Round of 16 meeting is a genuine possibility, and Haaland is the reason Tuchel’s coaching staff will already be pulling footage of this performance. At 1.94m and 88kg, with the acceleration to get in behind and the hold-up play to bring others into the game, he is not a standard problem for any defence.

Marc Guéhi and John Stones would lead the response. Kyle Walker’s ability to track dynamic runners adds another dimension. England have the defensive organisation to make this competitive. But Haaland nearly scored a hat-trick against Iraq on his World Cup debut. That is the benchmark Tuchel’s side would need to meet.

Iraq showed quality — the scoreline tells the full story anyway

Iraq were not passive. Aymen Hussein’s equaliser to make it 1-1 was a historic moment — only the second goal his country has ever scored at a World Cup — and his 7.78 rating reflects a genuine individual performance. Ali Jasim (7.28) also caught the eye. Iraq, back at a World Cup for the first time since 1986, showed they belong here.

But Norway were a level above. The 4-1 final score tells the complete story. Iraq face France and Senegal next in Group I, both formidable opponents. Norway, meanwhile, have a striker who looked capable of winning this tournament single-handedly.

FAQ