Erling Haaland announced his arrival on football’s biggest stage in emphatic fashion, scoring twice as Norway cruised to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
For a player who has made a habit of delivering on debut, it was another landmark moment in a remarkable career.
The Manchester City striker scored a hat-trick on his Champions League debut for Salzburg, another hat-trick on his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund, and a double on his Premier League debut for City. Now he has added two goals on his World Cup debut to an already extraordinary collection of first impressions.
Just hours after Kylian Mbappe inspired France to victory over Senegal with a brilliant brace, Haaland responded with a performance that reminded the football world he intends to challenge for the spotlight throughout the tournament.
The 25-year-old may have had only 11 touches during the first half, fewer than any other player on the pitch, but he still proved decisive.
Haaland opened the scoring shortly before the half-hour mark, sliding in to convert David Moller Wolfe’s dangerous cross and score Norway’s first World Cup goal in 28 years.
The last time Norway found the net at a World Cup finals tournament was in 1998 — more than two years before Haaland was even born.
After Iraq briefly equalised through Aymen Hussein, Haaland restored Norway’s advantage in trademark fashion. Relentlessly pressing the opposition defence, he chased down a loose backpass and charged goalkeeper Jalal Hassan’s attempted clearance into the net.
It was the type of goal that perfectly reflected his determination and hunger.
Norway manager Stale Solbakken praised his star striker afterwards.
“You can see he lived up to the occasion. It wasn’t too big for him,” Solbakken said.
“I had a good feeling before the game and felt he would deliver for us.”
Iraq coach Graham Arnold was equally impressed.
“He’s an amazing number nine,” Arnold said.
“He’s so strong, so quick and he’s lethal”
Haaland came close to completing a hat-trick and was denied on several occasions as Norway continued to dominate.
While the third goal never arrived, the striker’s overall display drew widespread praise.
Former Wales captain Ashley Williams highlighted a side of Haaland’s game that often goes unnoticed.
“What impressed me was his desire,” Williams said.
“You could see what it meant to him the way he was pressing and doing the ugly bits.”
The numbers behind Haaland’s international career are becoming increasingly astonishing.
His two goals against Iraq took his tally to 57 goals in just 51 appearances for Norway, giving him one of the best scoring records in international football history.
Among players with at least 50 international goals, only Denmark legend Poul Nielsen scored at a faster rate.
Former England striker Ellen White believes Haaland could now become the tournament’s leading scorer.
“The quality and physicality round the box from Haaland was on another level. He wants to be top goalscorer in this tournament.”
If this performance was any indication, he will be among the favourites.
The World Cup may have only just begun, but Haaland has already delivered a powerful statement.
Norway’s hopes of a deep run will depend heavily on their superstar striker, and after his dazzling debut, few would bet against him continuing to make history.
