Erling Haaland burst onto the global stage like a firework exploding on bonfire night – explosive, thrilling, and impossible to ignore. The Manchester City striker's World Cup debut was an eye-opener, netting two goals that left Iraq gasping for breath in Norway's 3-0 triumph over their Middle Eastern opponents.
Haaland, 25, got the party started with a precision finish in the 29th minute, converting David Møller Wolfe's pinpoint cross into the net with ease. His second goal was the icing on the cake – or rather, the cherry on top of his own personal sundae – as he doubled Norway's tally and sent Iraq's defence reeling.
But Haaland wasn't the only one making waves; the Norwegian squad was a veritable orchestra of talent, with Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard providing the perfect assist for Norway's third goal before being subbed off to conserve energy for the battles ahead. Young winger Antonio Nusa was the dynamic duo's partner in crime, creating chaos and confusion amongst Iraq's ranks as he showcased the incredible depth of Norwegian football's 'golden generation'.
Iraq may have shown pluck and determination on their World Cup debut after a 40-year absence, but it was clear that Norway were on a different level. Despite being underdogs in Group I, they demonstrated a quality that bodes well for their future – especially considering the nation's relatively small population of fewer than six million.
Norway's defence might need to tighten up as the tournament heats up, but for now, Haaland and co. are riding high on a wave of momentum that could carry them all the way to the business end of the competition. Next stop: France, where the Norwegian striker will face off against his good friend Kylian Mbappé – a battle that promises to be one of the most anticipated showdowns of the group stage.