Erling Haaland29′
Erling Haaland43′
WK
Norway can participate in the Football World Cup for the fourth time in history. The formation of star players Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard kicks off the tournament against Iraq. Kick-off takes place in Boston at midnight Dutch time. Follow the match live here.
Sports editor
liveblog
Iraq has certainly not yet resigned itself to defeat. Aymen Hussein, the maker of the 1-1, headed just wide of the post this time.
End of first half
Norway reaches halftime with a lead, despite another great chance for Iraq to equalize.
1-2 GOAL by Erling Haaland!
What a gunner in the back in Iraq! The experienced goalkeeper Jalal Hassan completely misjudges a (too short) back pass and thus gives Haaland the opportunity to intervene and his second of the match to make.
1-1 GOAL by Aymen Hussein!
What a surprise! Ten minutes after Haaland’s goal, Iraq leveled. Aymen Hussein heads in between three defenders. Norway can take credit for this goal!
Scot Ødegaard
After the opening goal, a weight seems to have been lifted from the shoulders of the Norwegian players. Martin Ødegaard tries from distance, but the Arsenal playmaker’s shot goes just wide.
0-1 GOAL by Erling Haaland!
He didn’t seem to be in the game very well yet, but that is not always necessary with Haaland’s class. After a sharp cross from former AZ player David Moller Wolfe slides the star of Manchester City the ball in at the second post.
Drink break
Just before the drinks break, another header chance for the former Groningen player Alexander Sørloth. Yet for the time being it is not easy what the Norwegians put on the mat.
Haaland’s header from a corner. However, the ball is not the right size, so he cannot give it much direction.
First attempt Iraq
Iraq knows that there have already been some surprises at this World Cup and would like to join that list. Ali Al-Hamadi tries from distance, but his shot goes high.
A first breakout from Haaland. His cross ends in the hands of Iraq’s goalkeeper.
Bizarre figures
An incredible statistic: Erling Haaland scored 55 goals in 50 international matches for Norway. He would love to add a World Cup goal to that list.
The setups
The setups are in. Erling Haaland will make his World Cup debut.
Norway: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Reggem, David Wolfe; Berge, Aursnes, Ødegaard; Nusa, Sørloth, Haaland.
Iraq: Jalal Hassan; Hussein Ali, Tahssen, Hashim, Doski; Al-Ammari, Zaid Ismael, Bayesh, Ali Jasim, Al-Hamadi, Aymen Hussein.
Norwegian fans have fun in Boston
The fans of Norway are having a great time in Boston. Norway is playing at a World Cup for the first time since 1998 and last participated in a European Championship in 2000.
From peanut sauce allergy to hours of shuffleboard: the Groningen years of the strikers next to Erling Haaland
All eyes will be on Erling Haaland when Norway starts the World Cup against Iraq tonight. But in his wake there are two more top strikers, both with a past at FC Groningen: Alexander Sørloth and Jørgen Strand Larsen. Both attack leaders experienced their own introduction to Dutch culture.
Erling Haaland makes World Cup debut
He has already scored 55 times in 50 international matches, but tonight Erling Haaland will finally make his debut at a European Championship or World Cup. The 1.95 meter tall striker from Manchester City already played at the Under-20 World Cup.
On May 30, 2019, he scored no fewer than nine times in a 12-0 win over Honduras.
Good evening
Good evening and welcome to our Norway – Iraq live blog. This match starts at 00:00 in Boston.