Erling Haaland, with a dream start, marked his long-awaited FIFA World Cup debut in style, scoring two goals and earning the FIFA Man of the Match award as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in their Group Stage encounter at the 2026 World Cup. he scored not one, but two goals in his stunning debut in the World Cup.
Haaland shines on World Cup debut to win Man of the Match honor as Norway thrashes Iraq
The Manchester City striker, making his first appearance in the tournament, was clinical in front of goal and led Norway’s attack with authority. His brace took his international scoring tally to an impressive 55 goals in just 51 appearances.
The victory also extended Haaland’s red-hot form, with the Norwegian superstar netting 22 goals in his last 11 games across major competitions for his country. Norway controlled large portions of the match and will take great confidence from the result as they look to advance from the group stage.
Haaland, often referred to as a “goal machine,” once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the world’s most lethal finishers. Fans and pundits were quick to praise the 25-year-old’s performance, with many highlighting his consistency and physical dominance on the biggest stage in football.
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