{"id":1459230,"date":"2026-06-17T01:24:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T00:24:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1459230"},"modified":"2026-06-17T04:14:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T03:14:12","slug":"post-match-analysis-iraq-vs-norway-17-06-26","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-iraq-vs-norway-17-06-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Iraq vs Norway stats and analysis: Erling Haaland announces himself at World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Norway made a winning start to their long-awaited return to the World Cup stage, beating Iraq 4-1 in Boston on Tuesday night. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Erling Haaland put the Scandinavian side ahead in the 29th minute with his first-ever World Cup goal. However, 10 minutes later, Norway were stunned as Ayman Hussein pulled Iraq level, beating Torbjorn Heggem in the air to deliver a pinpoint header.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Iraq pressed the self-destruct button just before half-time, with goalkeeper Jalal Hassan waiting far too long to receive a backpass and allowing Haaland to block his clearance and divert the ball into the net to restore the Norwegian lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite a brave Iraqi performance to be proud of, Norway put the game beyond doubt in the 76th minute as substitute Leo Ostigard converted a superb corner delivery from Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. Kristian Thorstvedt then put some gloss on the result in the dying moments.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2><strong>Bet \u00a310 &amp; Get \u00a330 in Free Bets with Bet365<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p>Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Open an account (<a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here's a link<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Make a qualifying deposit of between \u00a35* and \u00a310*<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1422493 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-1024x446.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"446\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-1024x446.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-300x131.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-768x335.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-400x174.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-459x200.png 459w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-138x60.png 138w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-150x65.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-40x17.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141.png 1537w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><em>Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&amp;Cs apply.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<hr \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-erling-haaland-arrives-on-the-world-cup-stage\">Erling Haaland arrives on the World Cup stage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Premier League champion and Golden Boot winner. Champions League winner in a treble campaign. Serial domestic cup champion. Ruthless goalscorer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Erling Haaland has already achieved so much in football. Pretty much everything you can at club level, while becoming his nation&#8217;s record goalscorer at just 25 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But prior to this match, the giant striker still hadn&#8217;t kicked a ball at a World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That has all changed now, and Haaland announced himself on the greatest stage of all in some style. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just hours after watching Kylian Mbappe net a brace to become France&#8217;s record goalscorer and close in even further on Miroslav Klose&#8217;s World Cup record, Haaland bagged two of his own to finally open his World Cup account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Erling Haaland&#8217;s shot map vs Iraq<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011540\/shot_map-player-3-stats-key-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1459242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011540\/shot_map-player-3-stats-key-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011540\/shot_map-player-3-stats-key-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011540\/shot_map-player-3-stats-key-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011540\/shot_map-player-3-stats-key-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011540\/shot_map-player-3-stats-key-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011540\/shot_map-player-3-stats-key-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011540\/shot_map-player-3-stats-key-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011540\/shot_map-player-3-stats-key-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011540\/shot_map-player-3-stats-key-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011540\/shot_map-player-3-stats-key.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The first was a trademark Haaland strike, with the Manchester City striker crashing the back post to convert an excellent delivery from David Moller Wolfe. The second was a fine example of the standards the striker sets, with Haaland leading the press and catching Iraq goalkeeper Hassan as he waited too long for the ball to come to him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Goals aside, Haaland&#8217;s attitude was phenomenal, with the striker winning seven of his nine duels, while making a clearance and two recoveries. And on another day, Haaland could have taken a commanding Golden Boot lead, having missed two big chances and attempted a match-high five shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Haaland has arrived at the World Cup, and he looks to be in the sort of form where he can drag Norway deep into the tournament. The likes of Mbappe, Harry Kane and Lionel Messi will be taking notice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-iraq-push-norway-to-prove-they-belong\">Iraq push Norway to prove they belong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There was a lot of pre-tournament negativity regarding the expanded format and number of supposed &#8216;smaller&#8217; nations competing at this World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Cape Verde&#8217;s draw against Spain has stolen the headlines, while Curacao gave Germany an early scare before ultimately collapsing, and Haiti pushed Scotland all the way. The minnows have shown up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That was the case once again here, as Iraq kicked off just their second-ever World Cup campaign and first since 1986.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hussein&#8217;s header to equalise against Norway will forever be a part of Iraq football history, not least because it came days after he was detained for seven hours and nearly denied entry into the United States. And it was a thoroughly deserved moment after a strong first-half showing. If only Ali Al Hamadi had converted as he raced behind the Norwegian defence in first-half stoppage time, or if Akam Hashem&#8217;s incredible volley had crept just underneath the crossbar right on half-time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, Norway&#8217;s quality told. However, the 4-1 scoreline was incredibly harsh on a spirited Iraq, who attempted 11 shots, had 18 touches in the opposition box and managed 39% possession against a far superior opponent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of the scoreline, Iraq proved they belong on the World Cup stage and have a part to play in this supposed group of death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-norway-full-backs-help-or-hindrance\">Norway full-backs: Help or hindrance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a team containing the likes of Odegaard and Antonio Nusa, it was Norway&#8217;s full-backs who stood out as the creative sparks in Boston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moller Wolfe got the assist on the opening goal with a superb low cross to the far post for Haaland. And that comes off the back of a season in which he registered three assists across all competitions for a struggling Wolves side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other side, Borussia Dortmund&#8217;s Julian Ryerson was even more dynamic, creating a match-high three chances and putting a whopping nine crosses into the Iraq box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both full-backs were clearly instructed to largely ignore their defensive duties and bomb forward in support of the attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But here lies the conundrum for Stale Solbakken, because while his full-backs were a priceless attacking outlet, they may not get away with this sort of style in games to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-norway-s-average-positions-vs-iraq\">Norway&#8217;s average positions vs Iraq<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"911\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011706\/average_positions_Iraq1-4Norway_Norway_26_FWC-1024x911.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1459244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011706\/average_positions_Iraq1-4Norway_Norway_26_FWC-1024x911.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011706\/average_positions_Iraq1-4Norway_Norway_26_FWC-300x267.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011706\/average_positions_Iraq1-4Norway_Norway_26_FWC-768x683.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011706\/average_positions_Iraq1-4Norway_Norway_26_FWC-1536x1367.png 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011706\/average_positions_Iraq1-4Norway_Norway_26_FWC-2048x1822.png 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011706\/average_positions_Iraq1-4Norway_Norway_26_FWC-225x200.png 225w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011706\/average_positions_Iraq1-4Norway_Norway_26_FWC-67x60.png 67w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011706\/average_positions_Iraq1-4Norway_Norway_26_FWC-150x133.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/17011706\/average_positions_Iraq1-4Norway_Norway_26_FWC-83x74.png 83w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of Iraq&#8217;s best moments came when they worked the channels, playing balls into the spaces vacated by the Norway full-backs and getting balls into the box. That&#8217;s exactly how they scored their goal, with Amir Al-Ammari finding far too much space on the left after some passive Ryerson defending, before finding Hussein at the far post. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ryerson, in particular, showed defensive weakness, losing eight of his 13 duels and being dribbled past twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Norway&#8217;s sheer quality in other positions allowed them to get away with it against Iraq. But up next is Senegal, who boast the likes of Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye in wide areas. And then there&#8217;s France, who can field any combination of Kylian Mbappe, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise or Bradley Barcola on the flanks &#8212; not to mention Rayan Cherki. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If Norway are this aggressive with their full-backs in those matches, they may be picked off by elite opposition. That may not cost them a place in the knockout rounds, but a run from third place would make life much harder for this highly-fancied dark horse.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\"><strong>World Cup predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-outright-odds\/\"><strong>World Cup outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup-2026-fixtures-results\/\"><b>World Cup fixtures &amp; results<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-betting-offers\/\"><b>World Cup free bets<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Norway made a winning start to their long-awaited return to the World Cup stage, beating Iraq 4-1 in Boston on Tuesday night. Erling Haaland put the Scandinavian side ahead in the 29th minute with his first-ever World Cup goal. However, 10 minutes later, Norway were stunned as Ayman Hussein pulled Iraq level, beating Torbjorn Heggem&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":1459246,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"iraq norway","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Norway made a winning start to their long-awaited return to the World Cup stage, beating Iraq 4-1 in Boston on Tuesday night.","footnotes":""},"tags":[27634],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1459230","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-world-cup"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Iraq vs Norway stats and analysis: Erling Haaland announces himself at World Cup | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta 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