Iraq vs. Norway Player Ratings: Man of the Match, Winners and Disappointments
Iraq and Norway played each other at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 with two goals from Erling Haaland and a goal from Leo Ostigard.
Iraq's goalscorer was striker Ayman Hussein, who scored Iraq's first World Cup goal in 40 years.
The first half was arguably one of the best first halves of the tournament so far, with both teams attacking towards the goal.
Norway would score first as David Molller Wolfe sent in a great low cross in the box for Erling Haaland to push the ball into the net. It was Haaland's first World Cup goal of his career, but it would not be his last.
Iraq would score the equalizer ten minutes after Haaland's opener. Ali Jasim sends a perfect through ball to Amir Al Ammari, who crosses the ball in the box to their lethal striker, Ayman Hussein. His header went straight into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Only four minutes later, Iraq lost focus after defender Zaid Tahseen gave a lazy pass to his keeper, Jalal Hassan, who took his time to wait for the ball to arrive at his foot. The pass was too soft, and Haaland chased after it and managed to put a foot out as Hassan attempted to clear the ball.
It was a terrible goal to concede for Iraq, and Haaland scored a brace on his World Cup debut.
In the second half, both teams continued to create chances, with Iraq generating clearer opportunities to score.
Norway would grab its third goal for the night from a corner kick. Substitute Leo Ostigard scored a header just four minutes after coming on. The final play of the match led to Norway's fourth goal. Haaland almost scored a hat trick, but the ball was pushed in by Hussein, the Iraqi striker.
The winners of the match were the Norwegian attackers, with Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland causing problems for the Iraqi defense. Haaland scored a brace and provided an assist, and Nusa would often create chances from the left flank.
The disappointment was the Iraqi defense, who could've stayed in the game if it wasn't for the mistakes on Norway's second goal. They also poorly defended the third goal, which was a header by Leo Ostigard from a corner kick.
Player Ratings for Iraq and Norway (1-10)
Iraq
- Jalal Hassan - 4
- Merchas Doski - 7
- Akam Hashem - 5
- Zaid Tahseen - 4
- Hussein Ali - 5
- Ali Jasim - 7
- Amir Al Ammari - 7
- Zaid Ismael - 5
- Ibrahim Bayesh - 6
- Ali Al Hamadi - 6
- Ayman Hussein - 7
Subs: Zidane Iqbal (5), Marko Lawk Farji (5), Ahmed Qaem (N/A), Mustafa Saadoun (N/A), Mohanad Ali (N/A)
Norway
- Orjan Haskjold Nyland - 5
- David Moller Wolfe - 7
- Torbjorn Heggem - 7
- Kristoffer Ajer - 7
- Julian Ryerson - 6
- Fredrik Aursnes - 6
- Sander Berge - 7
- Martin Odegaard - 6
- Antonio Nusa - 7
- Erling Haaland - 9(Man of the Match)
- Alexander Sorloth - 6
Subs: Oscar Bobb (5), Andreas Schjelderup (5), Kristian Thorstvedt (5), Leo Ostigard (7), Patrick Berg (N/A)
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 8:02 PM.