Iraq vs Norway Full Match
The eyes of the football world were fixed on this thrilling World Cup clash as two nations with distinct styles tested their mettle. On 2026-06-16, fans witnessed a display of tactical shifts and high intensity that shaped the course of the tournament.
Haaland Takes Charge in the Opening Period
The contest began with both sides searching for rhythm, but it was Norway who struck first. In the 29th minute, the clinical Erling Haaland opened the scoring with a powerful strike into the top right corner from close range, following a precise cross from David Møller Wolfe. Iraq, undeterred by the deficit, displayed remarkable resilience. Their efforts were rewarded in the 39th minute when Aymen Hussein climbed highest to head home an equalizer into the bottom right corner, courtesy of an Amir Al Ammari delivery.
However, the parity lasted only four minutes. In the 43rd minute, Erling Haaland demonstrated his world-class poaching instincts once again, finishing from very close range to restore the lead. Despite a late flurry of attempts from Iraq's Ali Al Hamadi and Akam Hashim before the break, Norway headed into the interval with a 2-1 advantage.
Norwegian Dominance and Late Misfortune
As the second half unfolded, Iraq pushed for another equalizer, with Hussein Ali and Aymen Hussein both seeing headers narrowly miss the target. The tactical landscape shifted in the 73rd minute when Norway made a quadruple substitution, introducing the likes of Oscar Bobb and Kristian Thorstvedt. The impact was immediate; in the 76th minute, Leo Østigård rose to meet a Martin Ødegaard corner, powering a header into the net to make it 3-1.
The final stages were marked by frustration for Iraq. After Zaid Tahseen received a yellow card, the situation worsened in stoppage time. In the 96th minute, a moment of defensive misfortune saw Aymen Hussein inadvertently turn the ball into his own net following a dangerous set-piece situation. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive victory for Norway, leaving Iraq to reflect on a match where clinical finishing proved to be the ultimate difference.
