Erling Haaland unleashed his full fury on the World Cup stage, blasting in a scorching debut double as Norway stormed to a 4-1 victory over Iraq. The Manchester City sensation's electrifying performance was reminiscent of his lightning-fast goalscoring exploits elsewhere - the Champions League, Bundesliga, and Premier League, where he has consistently made waves with his deadly finishing.
Haaland's impact was felt from the off, as he responded to Kylian Mbappé's inspired two-goal show for France against Senegal by finding the back of the net just before the half-hour mark. With a mere 11 touches in the first half, Haaland's influence was already palpable, and his clinical finish from David Moller Wolfe's pinpoint cross marked Norway's first World Cup goal since 2010.
Aymen Hussein's powerful header gave Iraq brief hope of a comeback, but Haaland quickly restored Norway's lead. Seizing on Jalal Hassan's hesitant clearance, the 25-year-old struck with lightning speed, deflecting the attempted pass into the net. Although a hat-trick beckoned, with Haaland being denied by Jalal and an own goal from Hussein rounding off Norway's scoring, his two goals sealed his status as Norway's top gun.
Norway boss Ståle Solbakken praised Haaland's ability to thrive under pressure, saying, "You can see he lived up to the occasion - it wasn't too big for him." Iraq head coach Graham Arnold also sang Haaland's praises, calling him "an amazing number nine" and tipping Norway, with their current squad, to cause a major upset in the tournament.
Haaland's international record now stands at an astonishing 57 goals in 51 appearances for Norway, a goals-per-game ratio that eclipses even legendary strikers like Gerd Müller. His leadership qualities were highlighted by former Wales defender Ashley Williams, who noted that Haaland took on a pivotal role, driving the team forward with an all-round strong performance that showcased his commitment and desire.
Source: BBC Sport