Erling Haaland’s clinical brace and aerial dominance propelled Norway toward the knockout stages, punishing defensive blunders to leave Iraq reeling in this high-stakes World Cup group clash.
Man of the Match
Norway faced Iraq in the second game of the day in group I, in what was always going to be an interesting affair with both sides knowing that after Senegal weren't able to take any points over group and tournament favourites France, that a win would put them in a great position to finish second and automatically qualify for the round of 32.
Despite a very slow and pragmatic start between the two sides with no real chances happening before the first hydration break, it only took 29 minutes before Norway's star man Erling Haaland to get on the scoresheet for his World Cup goal in his first game on the world stage, a clever move seeing Nusa unleash Moller Wolfe on the overlap and a teasing ball across the face of the goal was stabbed home by Haaland's prolonged right boot.
Only ten minutes later and Iraq had found an unthought of goal where a clever move saw an Amir Al-Ammari floating cross be hunted down by Iraq's current top scorer Aymen Hussein.
Iraq's hard work was chucked away as a loose back by Zaid Tahseen to keeper Jalal Hassan was hunted down by Haaland and panic set in Hassan clearance smacked off Haaland and found a way to give Norway the lead.
Before the break Iraq had two major chances with Moller Wolfe expertly blocked a Bayesh volley to deny the equaliser and just before the break Ali Al Hamadi had a golden chance which was defended well by Kristoffer Ajer.
The second half was fairly dull with both sides seeming fairly content with the result and the game played at a slow pace with Norway still having a few reasonable chances. The third did fell inevitable for Norway and in the 76th minute a dangerous corner by Martin Odergaard was struck down by centre half Leo Ostigard, who managed to score his second ever goal for his nation
Just before the final whistle when the result was wrapped up, the fourth came just before the end with a towering Haaland leading a header back across the goal which was took a few deflections but has went down as a Hussein own goal, cancelling out his goal prior.
Norway reliance on Haaland worked
Norway did feel the smallest bit underwhelming considering the hype they had created making themself the dark horse of the tournament through their incredible qualification form but without Haaland today things could have looked very different, I believe.
Iraq had more than enough chances to level the game just before the break with the aforementioned chances and Iraq did gift Norway's second through overplaying at the back. It is a worry that if they defend like that against either Norway or Senegal they could find themselves in a lot of bother very quickly.
Norway's height did stand out as a definite threat and it didn't feel like it would take long before a corner goal came, with it being 75 minutes before it came. But this is definitely something Norway have to utilise later on in the group.
The standout players for Norway were obviously Erling Haaland with him really carrying his side at times today it felt, but I thought Antonio Nusa on the left wing shown real flashes of quality with his close control and balance causing a lot danger for Iraq and Sander Berge kept the things ticking neatly for the Norwegians which they needed to slow the game down in the second half.
Iraq shown promise, but may have wasted their chance
It felt like now or never for Iraq.
Knowing any hope of getting out of this group of death, they needed something from this it felt and when they got that equaliser it really felt like they had a chance to put the sword to Norway however with that big mistake the sword was put into themselves and after them chances were missed before the break it always felt like the game was beyond them.
Despite his own goal Aymen Hussein, was definitely the best player on the Iraq side and was a handful for the Norway defence in the air and deserving to get his first goal in the World Cup.
How does this change the group
This does put Norway in a great position to qualify knowing that they will need a point from their final two games against Senegal and France to get through to the knockouts. However the +3 goal difference should be enough to see them through even if they lose the other two.
For Iraq, they have a very tall order next of facing of against France who did look like dynamite in their second half dismantling of Senegal with Iraq having to try and keep Mbappe and co quiet.
