Erling Haaland scores twice as Norway return to the World Cup after 28 years
The Manchester City striker delivered a commanding performance in Norway's 4-1 demolition of Iraq, marking the nation's first World Cup match since 1998.
Erling Haaland did what Erling Haaland does. The Norwegian striker scored twice in his country’s 4-1 victory over Iraq on June 17, playing the full 90 minutes and creating an additional chance.
Norway hadn’t appeared at a World Cup since 1998. That’s 28 years of watching from the couch.
The qualifying campaign that made this possible
He topped the entire European qualifying phase with 16 goals in just eight matches. No other player in the qualifying rounds managed more than eight goals during the same period. He literally doubled the next best tally.
One of the signature moments came against Italy, where Haaland scored a brace to clinch Norway’s place at the tournament.
Heading into the World Cup, Haaland’s international record stood at 55 goals in 50 appearances for Norway.
The Iraq match: business as usual
Against Iraq, Haaland scored two goals, created one chance, and played ninety minutes. Norway’s 4-1 scoreline suggests the entire team showed up, and they did.
The last time Norway played a World Cup match, the 1998 squad in France managed a famous victory over Brazil in the group stage before bowing out in the Round of 16. That team featured players like Tore Andre Flo and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
What this means for the tournament
His 16 qualifying goals represented a contribution so disproportionately large that it almost defies logic. In 50 international appearances before this tournament, he averaged better than a goal per game. Against Iraq, he maintained that exact pace.